Myrna Lunell McFarland Horton, 92 of Friona passed away May 7, 2023 in Amarillo after complications from a fall. Friends paid their respects on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and a family visitation was held at 7:00 PM in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of HANSARD FAMILY. Celebration of Life Services were held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, May 10. 2023 at the Friona Methodist Church with Rev. David McGaughy, officiating. Burial followed in the Friona Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Lunell was born at the McFarland farm home in Parmer County, Texas, on October 28, 1930. She was the eldest daughter of Irene and J.G. "Red" McFarland. Lunell had three sisters - Janice McFarland, Gay McFarland Jordan Cranfill Clark, Doris McFarland Barnett - and two brothers - John Bill McFarland and Dr. David McFarland.
Lunell graduated from Friona High School as valedictorian of her class. She attended Stephens College and Southern Methodist University, where she was a member of the Pi Phi sorority, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. While at SMU, Lunell met a tall, slim young man from Rome, Georgia, named Hollis Horton. They married on June 20, 1953, at the Friona United Methodist Church, and they were to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary this year. After living in San Antonio, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, they moved to Friona. They raised four children there - Kathryn Horton Gurley, Henry Hollis "Trip" Horton, III, Tracy Horton Bowden, and Sunny Horton Ratliff.
Lunell was active in the community, spending hours on Progressive Study Club projects, teaching Sunday School, working to establish the Friona Public Library, and enjoying a bridge club with her life-long friends. She supported the local arts. For many years, she hosted her grandchildren for summer drama workshop, where she delighted in filling all of her bedrooms and feeding crowds of young actors. She was an avid reader of fiction and nonfiction, and in the past few years enjoyed Audiobooks. She listened to many Great Courses, where she studied the history of classical music and composers, Broadway musicals, and philosophy. She was a great conversationalist and a great cook, and she published two Friends and Family cookbooks. She is a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Survivors include her husband, Hollis Horton, and her children and their spouses, Kathryn and John Gurley, Hollis and Courtney Horton, Tracy and Barry Bowden, and Sunny and Franklin Ratliff, as well as her two brothers, John Bill McFarland and wife, Jill, and Dr. David McFarland and wife, Ann. Grandchildren surviving her are Hollis Gurley, Alex Gurley and wife Lindsey, J. Gurley, Marriott Horton Miller and husband Jimmy, Robert Horton and wife Casey, Weston Bowden and wife Liles, Emma Bowden Armistead and husband Howard, Sunny Bowden, Casey Lunell Bowden (her namesake), Kallie Ratliff Bennett and husband Kameron, Matthew Ratliff and wife Haley, Hollee Ratliff Heim and husband Andrew, and Mary Kate Ratliff. Also surviving are fourteen great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the BSA nurses that provided exceptional care for our mother and showed us such kindness. Also, Lunell was not fond of black, so in respect of her wishes, please feel free to wear happy colors to her service. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Friona Public Library or a charity of your choice.
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online register book exclusively at: hansardfamily.com