Mrs. Zelda Christine Ballew Horton, affectionately known as "Tootsie" by family and friends, age 91 of Sparta, passed away at 11:28pm Thursday, November 4, 2021 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Tootsie was born June 7, 1930 in Doyle, Tennessee to the late Joseph Washington "Joe" & Effie Jane Carter Ballew. She was a former CNA at  Sparta Hospital and River Park Hospital. More importantly to her, she was a homemaker to her large family and foster family. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and canning vegetables from her garden. Tootsie was a longtime member of Doyle Church of the Nazarene. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband Herbert Horton; daughter Shirley Weaver; grandchild Deanna Pettit; sister Lillie Mae Tollison and husband Bill; brothers Joe Edward "Jack", Jay, Frank, Harold, Bobby Joe Ballew.

Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include her children Margaret (Walt) Herron of Doyle, Robert Green, Jr. of Doyle, Bobbie (Donnie) Evans, Haskell (Angie) Myers, Patty (Dewayne) Hodge and Caron Myers all of Spencer

Nineteen grandchildren

Forty-five great-grandchildren

Thirteen great-great-grandchildren

Siblings: Doris Ballew, Tom Ballew, Rufus Ballew and Lee Ballew

Special friends: Darlene Hutson, Janis & Joe Swafford

Several nieces, nephews, friends and church family also survive

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00pm Monday, November 8, 2021 at the Doyle Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3-8:00 pm at the church. Tracy Curtis will officiate.

Titus Simmons, Shane Pettit, Nathaniel Myers, Robert Green, Carson Myers, Donovan Jack Knowles and Shawn Solomon will serve the family as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Swafford, Donnie Evans and Walter Herron