Blanche Irene Rickman Horsman, 97, of Florence passed away Friday, September 7, at her home following a long life well lived for the Lord. She was born January 13, 1921, in Water Valley Township, AR to Daly Paul and Ola Fry Rickman. She was a graduate of Bay High School in Bay, AR, and Harding College in Searcy, AR.
In 1951 she married Homer Ray Horsman. They were married for 58 years until his death in 2009. A teacher and homemaker, she taught school at Bay and Dalton, AR, and at Mars Hill Bible School in Florence.
However, her primary calling was as a homemaker. She enjoyed serving others, volunteering, traveling, sewing, cooking, knitting, reading, gardening, and being a mother and grandmother. A wonderful correspondent well into her 80’s, she wrote copious notes and letters to family and friends.
Blanche loved people and loved visiting with them. She never willingly missed a church gathering, family reunion or one of her husband’s ship reunions. A long-time member of the Mars Hill Church of Christ, she taught the ladies Bible class for 26 years.
She, along with her husband, was a strong believer in Christian education. She was actively involved at Mars Hill Bible School, and was a member and past President of the Associated Women’s Organization (AWO) for the school. Blanche and her husband were named Volunteers of the Year in 1989 for MHBS and Friends of Mars Hill in 2003.
They were also supporters of Heritage Christian University as well as Harding University, where they both served on the Harding University President’s Council for a number of years. After her husband retired from TVA, the pair spent many years volunteering at various TVA locations as well as traveling. The two of them traveled to all 50 states, in addition to trips throughout Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Ray Horsman, and a brother, Daly Paul Rickman, Jr She is survived by a son, Don Robert Horsman of Greenville, TX; and three daughters, Marilyn (Dalton) Sullivan of Tuscumbia, AL; Paula (Mike) Mason of Sherwood, AR; and Millie (Stan) Dauck of Bernie, MO. She is also survived by a brother, James F. (Mary) Rickman of Dalton, AR.
Six grandchildren also survive, Anna Mason of Arlington, TX; Cy Mason of Springdale, AR; Hannah Dauck of Richardson, TX; Titus Dauck of Searcy, AR; Barclay Sullivan and Clayton Sullivan, both of Cartersville, GA. A special thank you from the family to those who served as caregivers over the past decade: Lisa, Nancy, Lou Ann, Marybeth, Lorie, Jeanette, Jennifer and Mary Ruth. The family would also like to recognize and thank Dr. Tim Ashley, the staff at Keystone Assisted Living, Elder Care, and especially her nurse Kristen and the staff from Amedisys Hospice in Florence for their compassionate care.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 9, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Monday, September 10, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Randy Baker officiating. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Old Union Cemetery in Water Valley Township, Ark.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are her six grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Mars Hill Bible School or Heritage Christian University.
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