Judith Horton

Judith Evelyn Horton (January 26, 1939 – April 13, 2022) was born on her grandparents farm in Rincon, New Mexico to Alma Lee Snowder and Clyde Frederick Horton and passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado where she has lived for almost four years. She grew up in New Mexico and lived in Modesto California where she went to High School. She had three children; Lee Ann Ruiz (Greeson), Richelle Jean Barton (Merritt), and Richard Baxter Merritt. She was preceded in death by her son Richard and sisters; Floetta “Jean” Shaul (Horton) and Janice Nail (Maddox), brother Floyd “Butch” Maddox, she is survived by daughters; Lee Ann (Ken) Ruiz and Richelle (John) Barton and also sisters; Barbara (Ray) Nelms and Lynn (Mike) Koppner, and brother Patrick (Patti) Barnett. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Joseph (Jessica) Barton, Jeannie (Steve) Cash, John (Jennifer) Barton, Erica (Justin) Salas, Haylee (Kyle) Boyce, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Judy had a fiery spirit in her younger years.  She worked as a waitress, restaurant owner, dry cleaner, and wrapped up her working years retiring from the First National Bank of Dona Ana County.  She was very artsy and crafty, doing stained glass, furniture refinishing, mosaic tile art, family photo decoupaging on furniture and shelves.  She loved to spend time in her yard pulling weeds (no joke) and watering her trees and plants. She was a collector of strange and unique things and loved going "Junkin'".  She could do any job around the house including tiling floors and replacing microwaves and when she needed help, she went to Jean, her sister, best friend, and partner in crime.

Most of all she was a wonderful mother and she and her fiery spirit will be missed dearly.