Doris Mae Horton

Doris May Durham Horton, age 82, finished the race well, passing away peacefully in her sleep and entering into eternal glory surrounded by her family at her residence in Ashland, KY on August 6th, 2020.

Doris, a Kentucky Colonel, was born October 7th, 1937 and was the youngest child of the late Frederick and Sarah Taylor Durham, came into humble beginnings, growing up in the beautiful mountains of Gilbert Creek, WV with her late siblings Roberta Gibson, Pauline Eugenia Hatfield, David Durham, and Joseph Durham.

On the same day she graduated from Gilbert high school she married the love of her life and devoted husband Micheal Edmond Horton Sr. and moved to Ashland, Ky.

Doris and Mick were thereafter blessed with 65 years of marriage and three beloved children: Michael Edmond Horton Jr (Marsha Dingess Hartman), Nancy Kathryn Fannin (Steve Fannin) and Patty Horton Osborne (Mark Osborne).

Doris took pride in working hard and enjoyed serving people in the food industry, managing Dee’s Drive Inn and working many years at Ponderosa Steakhouse.

Family, however, is what Doris loved and cherished most and everyone she met she treated as family. If you walked into her door, you were welcomed with open arms and her saying “Just call me Mamaw”. Many summers she would have all of her grandchildren and their friends spend countless days and nights being spoiled by her tremendous homemade cooking and swimming in her pool she had installed just for her family. Her grandchildren Sara Everman (Isaiah, Xander and Ryder Everman), Katie Horton, Chris Hammer (Ben Hammer), Amanda Cherry (John Cherry), Ryan Hammer (McKenzie and Hudson Hammer), Michelle Horton, Ally Flannery (Tyler Flannery), Brandon Greene, Spencer Greene and Seth Osborne we’re blessed by her endless love and care. She is also survived by Brother-in-law Raymond (Tucker) Williams(Nancy) Plus many nieces, nephews and cousins spread from coast to coast who she adored. Guarantee there are pictures of everyone with names written on the back. Her final years were spent putting names on thousands of photos so we would not forget. Printing pictures off Facebook became one of her favorite hobbies which also included tending her rose bushes, reading non fiction and Kentucky Wildcats basketball.

If you had the pleasure of meeting Doris you quickly learned she was not like anyone you had ever met. Behind her fierce, loud, and strong exterior, she had the most tender, loving, caring and kind heart of anyone you’ve known. There will never be another person like her, but the lasting impressions and lessons she has imprinted on the hearts of her family and friends will be carried on. Doris, aka Mamaw, you will be greatly missed by all that knew you.

In true Doris fashion, her final wishes included not having a funeral service. Her family will celebrate her life by gathering for a meal and toasting with a glass of Pepsi in her honor. If you would like to send a letter of condolence and encouragement to her beloved and devoted husband Mick Horton at 2515 Chinn St. Ashland, KY 41101 it would be greatly appreciated.