Rev. Titus Phillip Horton

Rev. Titus Phillip Horton, age 72, of Richlands, Virginia, was called home Friday, October 27, 2023 at his home. Rev. Titus Phillip Horton was born May 29, 1951, in Richlands, Virginia. Bro. Phillip was the embodiment of a true servant of Jesus. He passionately gave his life for the Gospel and for the service of others. His character exemplified his desire to live, to love, and to serve just like his Heavenly Father. After graduating from Bluefield State, Bro. Phillip was presented with a multitude of opportunities. Highly educated and equipped with a masterful skillset, he went to work teaching at a juvenile correctional center. In time, several other employment opportunities presented themselves. These opportunities came wrapped in pretty packages - increased pay, much-needed health benefits, and ample probabilities for growth and success. However, God had a different plan. A higher calling was waiting for him, a life of servitude and leadership. In 1975, Bro. Ralph, Bro. Grat, Bro. Phillip, Bro. David, and Sis. Brenda Horton recognized the need, took on the burden, and began preparations for the establishment of the Richlands Tabernacle Christian Academy. Together, they traveled to Lewisville, Texas, where they underwent the rigorous training required to launch an A.C.E. institution. From the beginning, Bro. Phillip knew the journey was not going to be easy. He understood that the success of the school was going to require great sacrifice on his part. He knew the cost was going to be great - physically, financially, and mentally. Nevertheless, he knew that the reward was going to be far greater than all those combined. In 1977, the doors of the Richlands Tabernacle Christian Academy officially opened, and Bro. Phillip stepped into a new career that forever altered the course of his life, a career that did not hold great monetary value. Yet, he accepted it. He began serving students in the capacity of high school supervisor and continued to do so for the next thirty-six years. In the early 1980’s, God added to his work, increased his burden, and called him to be principal of the school. From 1977 until the spring of 2014, Bro. Phillip worked day in and day out at the school. For years, he spent hours after school helping struggling students, grading tests, preparing lessons, and doing anything else that needed to be done. He was a firm, yet caring teacher. He taught, trained, and equipped students not only for the present world, but also for the world to come. He pushed and encouraged every student who walked into his classroom. He taught those under his watch the great importance of memorization, setting goals, prioritizing their work, and, most importantly, that “snow days are not holidays.” He taught the greatest VA history lessons, gave the most memorable example on active and passive verbs, and was just all in all a wonderful teacher. But above all else, the time in prayer that he spent with his class each morning was the greatest lesson of all. Its value is worth more than all this world has to offer. Morning after morning the following words resounded through the hall of the Richlands Tabernacle Christian Academy, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight…(Psalm19:14).” Whether it was a five-minute prayer or a twenty-minute prayer, it was the most significant time of the day. Only eternity will tell just how many lives were changed and how many souls were saved just because a teacher loved his students enough to bombard Heaven for their souls each morning. In December of 2013, Bro. Phillip lost his dearest friend - his pastor, his older brother, Bro. Ralph. This sudden and unexpected turn of events once again altered the course of his life. Before 2013 came to a close, God prepared and called Bro. Phillip to be the pastor of the church he called home for so many years, the Richlands Tabernacle. This transition came with much pain, pressure, and heaviness. With the weight of the entire church on his shoulders, Bro. Phillip walked headlong into a new season in his life. For the past 10 years, Bro. Phillip led and shepherded his congregation with such grace, compassion, and strength. He preached hundreds of sermons, faced numerous obstacles, buried many precious saints, and went to war on his knees countless times for so many. He was steadfast. He abounded in the work to which God called him. He served. Not only did he wear his suit on Sundays while leading his congregation to Heaven, but he also donned his bib overalls on Monday, digging in the dirt, working in the sewers, and making sure that the house of God and its grounds were fit for a king. In addition to the Richlands Tabernacle ministries, Bro. Phillip was the youth pastor from 1977-1982 at the Keen Mountain Holiness Church. He was co-pastor in the early 1980’s at Phelps Pentecostal Church in Phelps, Kentucky. He was the former chairman of the Tazewell County Electoral Board, as well as the former chairman of the Richlands IDA, and a former member of the Richlands Zoning Appeals Board. He was the current vice-president of the Free Pentecostal Church of God Association. He was a very active supporter of law enforcement and community outreach. There are no words to express our great loss. The years of service that Bro. Phillip gave to the Richlands Tabernacle and the Richlands Tabernacle Christian Academy could never be repaid. He was a laborer, a warrior, and a faithful and loving shepherd whose fingerprints will be forever evident in all our lives. Bro. Phillip was the son of the late Rev. Grat and Chorilda Horton. He went home to glory on October 27th, 2023, being 72 years of age. Since December 2013, Bro. Phillip was the Senior Pastor of the Richlands Tabernacle. He gave his life to serving his Lord and spreading the Gospel to any who would hear. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Lawrence and Ethel Ratliff; one sister, Thelma Horton Osborne; and three brothers, Don Horton, Rev. Ralph Shelba Horton, and Christopher Aaron “Mack” Horton. He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law: Rev. Robert “Bob” Osborne, Rufus Ray, Dan Jennelle, Junior Cordle, and Dan Roberts; sisters-in-law, Virginia “Renee” Horton and Brenda Horton. Those who remain to carry on his spirit are: His loving wife of 52 years, Carolyn Sue Ratliff Horton of Richlands, VA His sisters: Mozell Horton Cordle of Cedar Bluff, VA Naomi Horton Ray of Richlands, VA Patricia Horton Jennelle of Richlands, VA Sharon Horton Roberts of Cedar Bluff, VA His brothers: Rev. David Horton of Abingdon, VA Rev. James Horton and wife Greta of Richlands, VA His brothers-in-law: Bobby Ratliff and wife Linda of Bedford, VA Larry Ratliff and wife Debbie of Abingdon, VA Sisters in law: Shirley Horton of Richlands, VA Doris Horton of Cedar Bluff, VA (Special second mother) He is also survived by a host of special nephews, nieces, friends, church family, and colleagues. Special thanks to Legacy Hospice & Clinch Valley Medical Center for the exceptional care that he received. Funeral services for Rev. Titus Phillip Horton will be conducted at the Richlands Tabernacle on Monday, October 30th, at 1:00 pm with the Rev. James Vance, Rev. Travis Hackworth, Rev. Neil Bridges, and Rev. Roger Boyd officiating. Entombment will follow at the Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers will be Frankie Ray, Keith Cordle, Jonathan Roberts, Willie Horn, David Vance, Rodney Eldridge, Will Ratliff, John Paul Roberts and Roy Dale Keene. Honorary Pallbearers will be the men of the Richlands Tabernacle. Friends may call after 5:00 pm on Sunday evening at the Richlands Tabernacle in Richlands, Virginia. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia, is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Rev. Titus Phillip Horton

May 29, 1951 - October 27, 2023