Barbara Jean Gregory Horn

Barbara Jean (Hennon) Gregory Horn September 27, 1935 – September 26, 2025

Barbara Jean (Hennon) Gregory Horn, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and retired long-time Ector County Tax Assessor/Collector, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was 89 years old. Barbara leaves behind a legacy of love and faith.

Born on September 27, 1935, in Gladewater, Texas, Barbara was the daughter of Willam Eugene “Bill” Hennon and Mamie Lucille (Henson) Hennon. She grew up with a heart for service and faith, values that shaped her life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. As a teenager, she moved with her family to Odessa, Texas. While attending East Side Baptist Church, she met and fell in love with her future husband, Norman Dean Gregory. Barbara and Dean graduated from Odessa High School.

Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Dean Gregory, on June 12, 1954, and began a life marked by dedication to family, community, and service. Together, they raised their family in San Angelo, Midland, Odessa, and Kermit, Texas. Barbara worked for many years in the Winkler County Tax Office before she and Dean relocated back to Odessa in 1976. Upon returning to Odessa, she immediately began working in the Ector County Tax Assessor/Collector office under Mr. Curtis G. Winn until his retirement in 1983. She continued working in the office for Mr. Winn’s successor, Lea Taylor, until her retirement in 2004.

Dean Gregory passed away on September 13, 1987, leaving behind a profound void in the life of his beloved wife, Barbara. The absence of her soulmate was deeply felt. However, in time, God revealed a new chapter in her life. Barbara met Joe Horn in a Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Odessa, and their shared faith and friendship blossomed into love. They were married on June 29, 1989, and enjoyed many lovely and cherished years together. “Papa Joe” Horn passed away on November 18, 2013.

In 2004, Barbara entered public service by successfully running for the office of Tax Assessor/Collector for Ector County, a position she held with distinction until her retirement in February of 2019, at the age of 84. Her dedication to the residents of Ector County was unwavering, and she was widely respected for her integrity, professionalism, warmth, and tireless work ethic, leaving a lasting legacy of service and commitment to her community.

Barbara was the proud mother of four children: Gary Dean Gregory, Eddy Eugene Gregory, Harold Edmond Gregory, and Deana Kay (Gregory) Boyd. She was preceded in death by her son Harold Edmond Gregory; her parents, W.E. and Lucille Hennon; her husbands, Norman Dean Gregory and Joe Carlton Horn; her sister Mamie Sue (Hennon) Pearson; her grandson Clinton Dean Boyd; and her granddaughter Kayla Jean (Boyd) Knox.

She is survived by her brother Bill Larue Hennon and his wife Susan of Tyler TX, and her children Gary Dean Gregory and his wife Susie of Driftwood, TX; Eddy Eugene Gregory and his wife Jill of Graford, TX; and Deana Kay (Gregory) Boyd and her husband Roger of Odessa, TX.

Barbara was a cherished Grandmother to Laura Ashley Gregory Byno (Richard); Kayla Jean Boyd Knox; Cade Waddell Gregory; Clayton Dale Boyd (Marcia); April Jeanine Gregory Benjmin (Casey); Brooks Harvard Gregory (Laura); Charlsye Marae Gregory Bishop (Jermaine); Clinton Dean Boyd; and Caleb Blair Gregory (Kayleah).

She was a loving Great-Grandmother to Cadyn Caleb Bishop, SammyRay Sunshine Benjamin, Jalyn Jermaine Bishop, Phoenix Jade Knox, Hendrix Hayes Knox, Aspen Dean Benjamin, Sutton Blair Gregory, Camryn Marae Bishop, Ella Elizabeth Gregory, Wrigley Gregory Benjamin, Sawyer Jean Gregory, Elliott Boone Byno, Beckett Dean Boyd, and River Bennett Byno.

Having played basketball in her youth, Barbara developed a lifelong love of sports. Many days of her life were spent following her children and grandchildren to various sporting events. She was an amazing cook, though recipes were never written down – everything was created by “feel and taste”, and her dishes were always perfect. If she had a pastime, it would probably be cleaning house and rearranging furniture. With no help from anyone, a sofa and chairs that were positioned on the north wall at 8 a.m. on Saturday would somehow be transformed into a completely different setting with those same items reconfigured to the south wall by 3:00 p.m.

Barbara possessed an extraordinary talent for shopping—an instinctive ability to find the perfect piece, the ideal accessory, and the most flattering fit. Her wardrobe was a reflection of her refined taste and attention to detail. Every outfit she wore was a masterpiece of coordination: colors harmonized effortlessly, fabrics complemented one another, and accessories added just the right touch of elegance. Whether she was attending church, running errands, or hosting family, she was always impeccably dressed—her appearance radiated grace, confidence, and sophistication. Her style was never loud or ostentatious, but quietly commanding. People often remarked that she looked “put together” no matter the occasion. It wasn’t just about fashion—it was about self-respect, pride, and the joy she found in presenting herself beautifully to the world, down to her perpetually perfectly manicured nails.

Barbara was blessed with an amazingly beautiful singing voice that touched the hearts of all who heard her. A devoted member of the choir at First Baptist Church in Odessa, she could almost always be seen sitting on the front row—smiling, radiant, and joyfully singing God’s praises. Her voice was not only a gift, but a reflection of her deep faith and love for the Lord, filling the sanctuary with warmth, grace, and reverence.

Without a doubt, Barbara’s greatest joy was getting to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who affectionately knew her as “Mamaw”.

A service celebrating Barbara’s life will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will immediately follow be at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 6801 E. I-20 BL, Odessa TX at 79762.

The family would like to personally thank Barbara’s long-term healthcare providers and caregivers Laura Olveda, Elisha Borunda, and Mary Medrano.