Ella Marie (Patterson) Horton

Ms. Ella Marie (Patterson) Horton, age 88, of Rockville, MD, formally of Pittsboro, NC, transitioned to eternal rest on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington in Rockville, MD.

Obituary

Ella Marie Patterson Horton was born on July 29, 1937, to the late Sandy West and Luna Craig Patterson in Chatham County, North Carolina. She departed this life peacefully on January 21, 2026, at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington in Rockville, MD.

Ella was educated in the Chatham County School System and attended Horton School in Pittsboro, NC. During her youth she joined and was active at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

On August 4, 1956, Ella married the love of her life, William Howard Horton, and made Pittsboro her home. She became a member of Mitchell Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church and was active as a Trustee and member of the Usher Board.

Ella worked for many years for the Kayser-Roth Hosiery Company in Pittsboro. She retired from the Animal Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ella was active within her community through various clubs and organizations. She was a member of the Chatham County Council on Aging, the Chatham County Home Demonstration Club, the Helping Hand Club, the Horton High School Alumni Association, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Ella was a strong and vivacious woman who loved God and her family. She was always honest and had a big heart. She enjoyed feeding people and being in community with others. Ella especially loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them. She was always proud of them in all their endeavors.

She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Nadine Mercer and Rinelda (Rick) Horton; two grandchildren, Jazmeen Mercer and Miles Rosser; one brother, John Seeten (Esther) Patterson; three sisters-in-law, Sandra Horton, Jean Horton and Betty Cherry; godson, Pierre Reaves, and a play son, Neil Jones. She also leaves to cherish a host of nieces, cousins, neighbors and friends.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home - Pittsboro, NC