Sarah Jane Horton

Sarah Jane (Pugh) Horton

Funeral service for Sarah Jane Horton will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Committal will be at Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. at Sevier Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church.

Sarah Jane Horton (née Pugh) was born on April 7, 1934, in Achille, Oklahoma, to Roy and Catherine Pugh. Always modeling humility, Sarah was never uncomfortable standing at the back of a line—but she stepped to the front when she eternally grasped the hand of Providence on Thursday, August 7, 2025, five years to the week after her beloved husband.

Raised on small Oklahoma farms during the Great Depression, Sarah's early life was simple, though rarely easy. She fondly remembered picking cotton, and her farmhouse didn't receive electricity until she was in high school. As the second oldest in a family of ten children, "Jane" developed an uncomplaining, sacrificial ethic of work and caregiving that she carried throughout her life. She once described herself as a shy child who often hid behind the door when visitors arrived.

In 1952, Sarah graduated as class valedictorian from Achille High School. She temporarily lived with her oldest brother in Lubbock before moving to Dallas, where she worked as a secretary at Southern Methodist University.

Some souls are born to be soloists seeking the spotlight, but Sarah's calling was to be part of a humble ensemble—one she lovingly fashioned with her husband. She met Donald C. Horton while he was attending the SMU Perkins School of Theology and serving as a student pastor at the Achille and Milburn Methodist churches. They were married on June 4, 1954, and celebrated sixty-six anniversaries together. Their first child, Phyllis Carol, was born in Dallas in 1955.

The next twenty years were spent primarily in Pennsylvania, where Sarah first experienced lake-effect snow courtesy of Lake Erie. Each year, family vacations centered around returning to Oklahoma to reconnect with her parents and siblings.

In 1975, the family moved back to Oklahoma, where Don and Sarah served churches in Bartlesville, Chickasha, Stroud, Oklahoma City, Hugo, and Stigler for the next twenty-two years. Upon retirement in 1997, the couple settled in Chickasha and adopted Epworth United Methodist Church as their spiritual home, where they worshipped faithfully and formed many deep friendships.

Their marriage was a true partnership. While Don served his congregations, Sarah was a devoted preacher's wife who made many friends and actively participated in United Methodist Women groups. She enjoyed a varied work life, which included roles at the Salvation Army, the preschool at Epworth, and a clothing store where she often bought outfits for her children and grandchildren.

With her husband's support, she raised five children, kept the parsonages spotless, cooked creative nightly meals, sewed patches on hand-me-downs, canned vegetables and fruit preserves, and became the world's preeminent peanut brittle maker. She enjoyed Braum's, baking, cookbooks, birdwatching, flowers, sunsets, and her plum tree—but most of all, she cherished her family. Her life was rich in love, faith, and service.

Though not naturally inclined toward risk—especially regarding heights, swimming, driving, pets, texting, air travel, or cruise ships—Sarah was a courageous woman. She accompanied her husband to sight-unseen communities in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Once, in the Smoky Mountains, she chased off a bear that was eyeing a freshly baked pie. She even enjoyed liver and onions and beets. For Don's sake, she tolerated tent camping, lima beans, sauerkraut, and Penn State football. Despite failing eyesight in her final years, she remained steadfastly independent in her Chickasha home.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Lillian Garret, Lois Pugh, and Rosa Moffitt; brothers Pete, Jack, David, and Roy Earl Pugh; and daughter-in-law, Terri Horton.

Her influence, inspiration, and legacy continue through her children:

Phyllis Michaud and husband Tim of Norman
Rev. Charles W. Horton and wife Nancy of Bristow
Paul Horton and wife Jo of Chickasha
James Horton and wife Pam of Lake Jackson, TX
David Horton of State College, PA
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, her sister Marjo Taylor of Caddo, and her brother Eddy Don Pugh and wife Mary of Linden, TX.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.sevierfuneralhome.com