Violet Farlow Horney passed away on April 29, 2022, at age 86. She was a birthright Quaker, born into the Centre Friends Meeting community in southern Guilford County, which was the home meeting of her mother, Rachel Osborne. Her father, Theodore Farlow, was a member of Marlborough Monthly Meeting in Sophia. Violet grew up, one of six children, on a dairy and tobacco farm in Pleasant Garden. There, in addition to helping on the farm, she attended school, and after graduating high school in 1953, she worked at Jefferson-Pilot Insurance Company at their headquarters on Elm St in Greensboro.
Shortly thereafter she met Homer Horney, also from a farm family in southern Guilford County. After his service in post-war Korea, they married and settled in Mt. Gilead, N.C., where Homer worked with his brothers in their livestock business. Violet worked part-time while attending to their growing family — three children by 1964. By then the family had moved to Siler City, the home base of the Horney brothers’ growing business.
She remained dedicated to her family above all else, continued to work part-time at the stockyard and auction, and stayed involved with her church and neighbors — she enjoyed the company of people who laughed and enjoyed life. She embodied the best of her Quaker upbringing, truly living the qualities of humility, simplicity, and tolerance. In 2004, Violet and Homer moved to Greensboro.
Violet is predeceased by her beloved husband, Homer Horney, who passed away in 2015. She is survived by her sister, Sarah Haack of Maine as well as her children, Cheryl Scott, Tony Horney, and Chris Horney, all of Greensboro; two grandchildren, Brittany Brann of Louisiana, Frances Harvey of Greensboro; and one great-grandchild, the delightful Brea Brann of Louisiana.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Forbis & Dick, Pleasant Garden Chapel with visitation to be held one hour before the service.
Forbis & Dick Pleasant Garden Chapel is serving the Horney Family.
