Betty Ann Horton, 68, of Brookland, passed from this life on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center following a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on August 8, 1958, in Mountain View, Arkansas to the late Adrian and Vada Parks.

Betty dedicated 33 years of her life to education as a third-grade teacher for Norfork Public Schools. She had a passion for teaching and made a lasting impact on the lives of countless students throughout her career. Her dedication to education played an instrumental role in Norfork Schools receiving recognition through the No Child Left Behind Act. She had the honor of traveling to Washington, D.C., to accept the award on behalf of the school, an accomplishment that reflected her commitment to her students and the importance she placed on education.

Outside the classroom, Betty had an adventurous spirit and a love for exploring the world. She and her husband, Leon, shared a passion for traveling, especially to tropical destinations where they enjoyed the beauty of the ocean and scuba diving together. Betty loved being on the water, whether she was fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or exploring beneath the waves. She embraced life’s adventures with enthusiasm and treasured the many memories she and Leon made during their travels.

Above all, Betty cherished her family. She was a wonderful and devoted mother, the rock of her family, who loved her children deeply and supported them unconditionally. Her strength, guidance, and unwavering love were a constant source of comfort, and her children always knew they could count on her. She and Leon shared 50 wonderful years of marriage, building a life filled with love, adventure, and treasured memories. She will be remembered for her dedication to her students, her adventurous spirit, and the lasting love she shared with her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Leon Horton; son, Junior Horton (Lou) of Mountain View; daughters, Angie Horton Morales (Aarón) of Jonesboro and Carrie Kazi of Brookland; brothers, Paul Parks and David Parks, both of Mountain View; sisters, Mary Lawrence and Christine Richie, both of Mountain View; father-in-law, Lenard Horton; special sister-in-law, Leona Clark (Andrew); special niece and nephew, Miranda Frazier (Troy) and Andy Clark; grandchildren, Jay Horton (Lyndsey), Nathan Horton, Kirsten Parnell (Layne), Kaylea Marshall, Aminah Kazi, and Ryker Opperman; and great-grandchildren, Wynlee Horton and Weston Parnell. She also leaves behind a host of extended family, former students, and friends who will cherish her memory.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Emerson Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m., with burial to follow at Pine Log Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jay Horton, Nathan Horton, Ryker Opperman, Aarón Morales, Layne Parnell, and Reza Ghassimi.