Barrett Michelle Horton

Dateline: McKenzie,TN   Funeral services for Barrett Michelle Horton will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Brummitt- McKenzie Funeral Home. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, McKenzie. Brother Greg Barker will officiate. Visitation will be Monday, May 23, 2016 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday 12:00 p.m. until service time.   Mrs. Horton, 45, died at her home in McKenzie, TN on Friday, May 20, 2016 after a hard fought battle with brain cancer.   Michelle was born March 27, 1971, in Humboldt, TN to the late Sandra Holt Hopper of Humboldt and Rev. John Holt of Memphis. Michelle grew up in Humboldt, graduated from Humboldt High School in 1989 and then attended Union University for her first year of college. In 1990, she transferred to the University of Tennessee Martin where she graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work. Michelle was accepted into the graduate school at the University of Tennessee where she earned of Masters of Science in Social Work.   Ms. Horton began her career as a Youth Service Officer for Obion County and later Carroll County Juvenile Court. Michelle worked for Pathways, Inc. in Martin, TN before moving to Carey Counseling Center, Inc. where she became the Site Director of their Huntingdon, TN office. From 2002 until 2014 at the time of her diagnosis, Michelle worked at the University of TN at Martin Social Work Program as Program Director and Professor of Social Work.     Michelle was a Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker and was instrumental in leading the effort to pass legislation to create title protection for social workers and multi-level licensure in Tennessee. She has been a member of the National Association of Social Worker (NASW) and the Tennessee Chapter since 1991 and she served as President for the NASW TN Chapter from 2006 – 2008. She has served on and chaired numerous other NASW committees.   Michelle was a member of Alpha Delta Mu, a National Social Work Honor Society. She has been a member of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth since 1992 and served as Treasurer for the NW Council since 2010. On May 3. 2016, Michelle was presented the Life-Long Achievement Award for the TCCY by its membership.   In 2008 Ms. Horton was appointed by Governor Bredesen and reappointed by Governor Haslam to the Tennessee Social Worker Board of Licensure. Michelle was elected Chair of the Board for three consecutive years, 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14. Michelle served as a Board Member for the McKenzie Special School District Board of Education.   Ms. Horton is a member of Long Heights Baptist Church where served as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, and VBS coordinator. She loved her Lord and worked to emulate Him in all she did each day.   Michelle was survived by her husband of 19 years Paul Horton, daughter, Shelby Horton, and son Lane Horton all of McKenzie, father Rev. John (Robbie) Holt of Memphis, two brothers Jack ( Melanie) French of Murfreesboro, TN and Tony (Anita) French of Cape Coral, Fl, three step sisters Kim (Adam) Smith and Cande (Boyd) Wright all of Brownsville, Jan (Kevin) of Spartanburg, SC, two step-brothers Mike (Wanda) Blurton of Collierville and David (Patti) Blurton of Whiteville, as well as several special care givers, Pat Yarbrough, Stacy Barrett, Shelia and Shelley Swearengin and Malcolm and Nellie Horton.   Michelle was preceded in death by her mother Sandra Holt Hoppers, maternal grandparents, Zeb and Velma Barrett of Humboldt; and, paternal grandparents, Albert and Syble Holt of Alamo.