Debbie Strain Horton

Deborah “Debbie” Strain Horton, 73, of Columbia, South Carolina, departed this earthly life on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Born on September 7, 1951, in Munich, Germany, she was a daughter of the late June Strain (Bastin) and Air Force Colonel (Ret.) Clyde Strain. Debbie lived a life filled with love, dedication, and passion. After a long and successful career as a legal secretary, she retired from Nelson Mullins Law Firm to spend more time pursuing the things she loved most. An avid gardener, she found great joy in nurturing plants and sharing her knowledge while working at Wingard’s Plant Nursery during her retirement. Debbie was also deeply committed to mental health advocacy through her involvement with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she supported and uplifted others with kindness and compassion. Her Catholic faith was an essential part of her life, and she found great comfort in attending Mass at both Our Lady of the Hills and Our Lady of the Lake. However, her greatest accomplishment and source of pride was her family—she was a devoted wife, an incredible mother, and a cherished grandmother whose love and warmth will be deeply missed, but forever remembered.

Deborah is survived by her husband of 51 years, Randy Horton; daughters, Dawn Maddox (Josh) and Britney Hermosillo (Missy); son, Chad Horton; and three grandchildren, Anthony, Peyton, and Asher. She is also survived by her siblings, Gail Reed (Tom), Clyde Strain (Sandy), Bob Strain (Melissa), Carol Godsey (Robert), and her beloved dog, Cody, who was always by her side.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bruce Strain (Ellen).

A Mass of Christian Burial for Deborah Strain Horton will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin, SC, 29036. Her private inurnment will follow at the church cemetery. The family will host a reception following her church service in the Parish Hall at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Debbie’s honor. You can donate at this link: Donate to Nami.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at McAlister-Smith.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 200 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169, (803)999-5015.