Kathryn Marie Blackburn Horton, better known as "Ma", was born the youngest of nine children to Spencer and Hattie Blackburn. She was predeceased by all but one brother.  She was married 62 years to Elton D. Horton, who also preceded her in death.  She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Brandon Ayers.

She was a homemaker and mother to four children.  After babysitting for many years, she owned and operated Pipers Gap Day Care for 20 plus years.  Often in the summer, she would have as many as 25 children under her care.  She loved to cook as long as her health permitted and expected the family to be there often on short notice.  She loved to can and was proud to show her canned shelves to anyone who came to the house.  If anyone had a deck of Rook cards, she was ready to get a game going so she could shoot the moon and win.  She loved to travel and always looked forward to the family trip to Tennessee each fall.

Mom didn't sugar-coat her words, yet she won everyone's respect because of her wit and deep love for them.  She was a member of Blue Ridge Chapel Baptist Church and loved her church family.  As her health declined, she thoroughly enjoyed her visits from her church family and friends.  She was particularly fond of the hospice chaplain.  She was blessed to be able to stay home because of the wonderful caregivers God sent her way.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Shirley "Hawk" Ayers and Pam and Rick Stuart; two sons and daughter-in-law, Mark and Clara Horton and Steve Horton; one brother and sister-in-law, JC and Jewel Blackburn; one grandson, Dustin Caudill; five great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  She was special "Ma" to Chase Isaacs as well.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel at 2:00 PM with Pastor David Moore, Minister Charles Bunn, and Pastor Wendell Horton officiating.  Burial will follow in the Webb-Skyview Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:00 until 2:00 PM, prior to the funeral service.  Flowers are appreciated; however, memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 614, Galax, VA 24333.  The family will be meeting at 80 Trapper Drive, Woodlawn, VA 24381.  Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.