Deborah S. Horton

Deborah Sunja Horton, affectionately known as "Dieba" and "Debbie" was the daughter of the late Queen Esther Neal Horton and late William Askew Horton Sr. Deborah was born Thursday September 25, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the fourth child of five children, the oldest girl. She created her own family with the late William Alexander Jones Jr. and had one daughter Cheryl Jones. Deborah gained her wings and entered eternal rest on Thursday October 24, 2024.

Deborah was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System and turned the knowledge she gained into diverse employable skills throughout her life. At the age of 19 years old Deborah became a federal government employee working for the Social Security Administration in the Health Care Financing Administration Department in 1972. She was passionate and dedicated to her job and received numerous accomplishments. Rain, snow, hail no matter the weather she always made sure she went to work. She received many certificates and was always recognized for her hard work. Deborah was just that employee who showed leadership, initiative and resourcefulness. Deborah was a federal employee for thirty-seven years and ended her journey as a retiree in 2009.

Deborah was a fashionista from head to toe she was one lady who had her own style and owned it in her own way. Her favorite designer was COACH, you would always see her with the purse along with the matching wallet to go with the shoes. Everytime she went out she would come back with something COACH. No matter if it was a keychain, wallets, tennis she would have her COACH products and sometimes she would buy the same thing more than once. She loved to wear her scarves and always had totes full of them. Her jewelry always had to be gold and made sure she always had her letter D initial around her neck. Anything she saw that she liked she would buy it and most likely she just put it in her closet. She would always say " I have so many clothes but I need more ". Her favorite colors were always brown, nudes, and different earth tone colors.

Dieba, her name that was known to the family, didn't play when it came to her daughter, grandchildren, and the little great-grandchildren. She was the closest to her daughter Cheryl  (Boo ) and spoiled her all her life. Dieba and her daughter would sit on the phone for long periods of time and just talk about anything. If she didn't hear her voice she would say " Boo is you on the phone ". She ranned her daughter back and forth to the store to get cigarettes and scratch offs and would say " If you go I will give you a dollar " like she was still a little girl. Everytime Dieba found out something she would call her daughter and tell her and say " Boo guess what " . Dieba recently moved across the street from her daughter and when she came outside to get her mail she would yell across the street to talk to her. They were each other's best friends inseparable from each other. Dieba loved her four grandchildren as if they were her kids as well. Since they were little she always took them to the mall and kept them in the latest fashion. She made sure her grandkids never saw a rainy day. If they didn't answer the phone she would leave a voicemail message and say "Answer the phone it's Dieba". She had a special bond with each one of her grandchildren.The oldest grandchild ( Shynise ) they looked exactly alike, that was her twin. Shynise stayed up under her grandmother while getting on her nerves. The second oldest grandchild (Shonda) Dieba would have her dressed like her. Shonda was the one she came to for all her important questions and needs. The third grandchild ( Marcus ) is the only grandson and got whatever he wanted. They always were running errands together and she kept him in leather sandals and baseball hats when he was younger. The fourth grandchild (Treasure) who is the baby girl. They gave each other their own nicknames Doodle  (Treasure) and Mama Tute (Dieba). They fussed everyday and then made up seconds later and went to Target. Target was their favorite place to go together. She became a great-grandmother in 2017. Those kids did know wrong in her eyes. They could run, jump, flip anything all she would say is " Leave them alone they ared ". When they didn't want to eat food she would give them snacks. They were the perfect angels to her. You always heard " There goes Debbie, her daughter and grandchildren".  She treated all her grandchildren’s friends as her own; they were her bonus grandchildren and gave them nicknames. They were all her children in whole. Dieba always gossiped with her siblings. She was the closest with her older brother Alphonsus. They loved their mother cooking and eating together. Dieba took over the Matriarch role when her late mother passed away.

Debbie, as her friends would call her, would be up and talk to them anytime of the day and night. She would take bus trips with them to Delaware or anywhere they wanted to go. Debbie was known in the neighborhood from the neighbors to the corner stores. Everyone loved Debbie who she came across.

Deborah loved to gamble and ALWAYS WON. She would play scratch offs, lottery tickets and go to the casino. She had a lucky hand. Atlantic City, New Jersey was her go to the place that was her second home. She made sure at the casino she was in the smoking section. She kept a pack of cigarettes ( Newport 100's ) with her at all times and a couple of lighters. She loved to bake brownies for her grandkids. Her favorite dishes she would cook are shells and ground beef, potato salad, string beans, corn bread , rice pudding, and baking a chocolate cake. Her favorite drink was a Pepsi and when she drank one she would have a pinky finger in the air. She liked to eat crabs with her favorite Seagram's coolers. Deborah loved to go to Arundel Mills not only to shop but of course to go to the casino as well. Target was her favorite quick store run for all her essentials. She would listen to gossip music every morning in the kitchen. She liked to watch Soap Operas with her late mother. She loved to do two her little steps and line dances.

Dieba was the loudest in the room and always spoke her mind. Her daughter and grandkids were her heart. She was always willing to help anyone in need. She was kind, loving, and caring. She left her mark here on earth she will forever be missed. FOREVER THE GOAT

Deborah was met in heaven by her parents: Queen Esther Neal Horton and William Askew Horton Sr. two brothers: William Jr. and Dexter Sr., grandparents William Clyde Neal Sr. and Octavia Powell Neal, nephew: Dexter Jr. and a host of other relatives and friends that greeted her upon her arrival in heaven.

Deborah leaves to cherish her memory: her one and only child daughter Cheryl "Boo"; four grandchildren: Shynise, Shonda, Marcus Sr. Treasure; five great grandchildren: Marcus Jr., Masyn, Tailynn, Mega, Dalyse; one brother: Alphonsus; one sister: Gloria; one nephew Lawrence Sr.; four great nieces; four great nephews; closest friends: Sandra, Annette, Joyce, Claramae, Thomasina, Vanessa; goddaughter: Phylis; son in law Calvin; special loved ones in her life Travis, Diamond, Jawanna, Lashira, Camron and a host of other relatives and friends.