LESLIE ANN HORTON

Born August 11, 1948 in Port Arthur, Texas and died May 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

Leslie attended Port Arthur ISD schools and was a member of the Thomas Jefferson High School Band.  She played flute and also piano. She earned her bachelor's degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.  That's when she began her public school career of 30-plus years.  Her first assignment was speech pathologist. She was serious about helping students improve their speech and develop good communication skills.  Later she attended Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas and earned her Master's degree in guidance and counseling.

She loved being a high school counselor because she could help students solve problems, schedule their classes and prepare for college or other opportunities.  She returned to college again and earned the certification for high school principal and school superintendent.  She was so proud to be chosen as high school principal in Kennedale, Texas.  She thought high school students were so interesting and spent long hours at the school, and also attended their spots events on weekends and nights.

Her public school career also included being chosen for director of curriculum special education coordinator and representative for the educational region service center.  Most people would think Leslie would be ready to retire at this point but no, not yet.  She applied for a position in the "I Teach Texas" program.  She was chosen to help develop and evaluate new teachers in the public schools.

When she married the love of her life, Bill Briscoe, he already had a sweet little girl.  Leslie immediately latched on to young Whitney and adored her.  Years later Whitney and her husband Bobby had 2 precious girls named Peri and Addison.  Leslie and Bill were so proud of them.

When Leslie and Bill moved to Bayou Vista (near Galveston) they absolutely loved it and stayed active enjoying the beach and all of the attractions in Galveston.  Attending the neighborhood church, book club, garden club and wine club were all important to her.  She always wanted to have her own gift shop so she rented space in an antique shop in Galveston and sold jewelry, purses, clothes and other items. Besides taking care of other people she also loved dogs.  She took her last little doggie to her assisted living apartment.  Leslie and her dog Chica met almost every resident there.

Leslie always valued family and never stopped leading the way for her younger sister, Debbie. Debbie and husband Paul had two children, named Travis and Jenny.  Leslie was so excited to be an "Aunt" and adored her nephew and niece.  Later in life Travis married a lovely young lady named Karolina and they had two precious children named Isaac and Naomi.  Leslie because a "great aunt" and was so honored.  When her niece Jenny married Eric, she was excited because she already knew he was a kind the caring guy.

Leslie loved God, her family and friends.  She will always be with us in our hearts.