Elsie Merlene Horton Lafoon

(October 7, 1923 ~ October 17, 2012)

Elsie Merlene Horton Lafoon, daughter of Charlie Wayne Horton and Virgie Virginia Parnell, married to Roy Edward Lafoon and buried in McBee Cemetery, Ovalo, Taylor County, Texas.

Lawn, Tx. - Elsie Merlene Lafoon, 89, passed away from this life Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at Mesa Springs in Abilene. A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00am Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Lawn Baptist Church, officiated by Troy Barrington, and Don Ladner, directed by Fry~Bartlett Funeral Home, Tuscola. Interment will follow at McBee Cemetery. A visitation was held at the funeral home Friday, October 19, 2012.

Merlene was born in Lawn on October 7, 1923. Her parents were Charlie and Virgie Horton. She married Roy Edward Lafoon, and they settled in Lawn where she was the Postmaster for 26 years, retiring in 1976.

During World War II, Merlene worked for Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation in Fort Worth. Merlene and her sister worked as riveters in the manufacturing of B-24 Liberator bombers. She was truly "Rosie the Riveter".

Merlene was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church of Lawn, and was a 50 year Eastern Star, chapter 30.

She is survived by her daughter Robbie of Norman, Oklahoma, son Danny of Lawn, grandsons Monty Maxwell and Logan Lafoon.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roy Lafoon (1986) and a grandson Cody.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Ben Richey Boys Ranch, 501 Ben Richey Ave, Abilene, Texas 79602.

Published in Abilene Reporter News Oct. 20, 2012