A hot August day in West Texas in 1924 brought Marian Bess Stapp into the world. She grew up in a family with six children, on a farm growing cotton and corn in the red soil north of Abilene. Mom had many stories about picking cotton during the depression in the dust bowl. She reports permanent back damage from lugging the cotton filled sack through the field and dumping it in the wagon. She also told tales of joy about the times when she would find watermelons her father had secretly planted amongst the cotton field, and the family would then take an impromptu break to enjoy a little cool watermelon in the hot sun. At Leuders high school she was the drum major for the band. We have a great photo of her prancing proudly at an Armistice Day parade in 1939. Shortly after WWII she married Don Horton, whom she met at Sunset Church of Christ in Dallas. Mom supported dad as he worked on his masters at Harding College where she was active in the theater. After moving to California in the late 50’s, Mom and Dad, with a few friends founded and literally built the Woodland Hills Church of Christ. Dad was an Elder and Marian was an “Elder’s wife.” Mom was also active in the Associated Women for Pepperdine (AWP) and took pride at being a founding member. Mom began studying Judaism (in an academic way) and eventually wrote a book titled “Jewish Family Festivals.” She loved teaching classes in various churches to help Christians understand the significance and meaning of Jewish holidays and traditions. She loved doing research and enjoyed writing books about her childhood and about significant family figures in her life.

After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, she succumbed to the disease on April 15, 2011 at age 84. She is survived by her husband, 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She is now free from the limits of her tired brain and body. We will remember her laugh, her tendency for silliness alongside her love for intellectual and theological conversation. May she now rest in peace.