Haywood Ervin Horne, 85, of Winchester, Va. went home to be with God on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Ervin was born July 20, 1940, the son of the late John Lorie Horne and Mary Pauline Jones Horne Orebaugh in Newport News, Va. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth Harcum Horne, on April 1, 1961. They were married for 64 years and had one daughter, Lori.

Ervin was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served on active duty from 1960-1964. He was a retired firefighter for the city of Newport News, Va., where he served over 25 years. Upon his retirement from NNFD, he worked for The Mariners Museum in Newport News, Va. until retiring in 1999.

During his younger years, Ervin enjoyed refinishing furniture, cooking, playing tennis, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed a wide variety of music and instilled that love of music in his daughter, Lori. He spent many afternoons driving Lori to her music lessons. He was a charter member of their neighborhood pool, responsible for the hiring of lifeguards, and spent countless hours enjoying the outdoors and keeping watch over the neighborhood kids at Landsdown pool.

Ervin was a former member of First Baptist Church, Newport News, Va. where he sang in the choir and served as a Deacon. He and Mary would often chaperone youth trips for church, as well as school. The kids called him the “Big E”. His faith and family always came first.

He included family pets as members of their family. Ervin brought their first chihuahua, Pancho, home to Mary in the early 1960’s, when they lived in Florida. They went on to have many beloved chihuahuas throughout his life, including Sammy, his current faithful companion.

Upon retirement in 1999, Ervin and Mary moved to Winchester, Va. to be closer to Lori. In Winchester Ervin and Mary became active members of First Baptist Church. Ervin was a member of The Chancel Choir, The Singin’ Seniors, and a former President of the E.T. Clark Men’s Bible Class, where he enjoyed the camaraderie among his fellow members. He also served many years on the Wednesday Night Dinner Committee, where he was known to have his soup on for as many as six hours before serving, all the while drinking coffee, laughing, and enjoying sweet fellowship with his friends.

Ervin is survived by his loving wife, Mary Elizabeth Horne and daughter, Lori Ann Horne. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Prevatte of Zuni, Va.; nephew John R.(Buster Jr.) Horne of Zuni, Va.; niece Marlene Skinner of Franklin, Va. He also leaves behind 2 nieces, Donna, and Nancy; 5 nephews: Ron, Jimmy, Butchie, Kenneth and James on the Harcum side of the family.

He was preceded in death by his Stepfather, Randolph L. Orebaugh and brother, John
R. (Buster) Horne.

Special thanks to the 4th floor orthopedic nurses of Winchester Medical Center for their excellent care in recent weeks.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 11:00am at First Baptist Church, Winchester, Va. The Rev. Dr. Kristin Whitesides will be officiating along with Rev. George Fletcher and Rev. Jerry Turner. Visitation will be at 10:00 am prior to the service. After the service, all are invited to a luncheon at First Baptist Church, followed by interment at Mount Hebron Cemetery.

Pallbearers are his nephews.

Memorial Contributions may be made to The Singin’ Seniors Choir of First Baptist Church 205 W. Piccadilly St. Winchester, Va. 22601