Marie Covil Horne

GARNER- Marie Covil Horne, 84, died Sunday after a long illness. Born in New Hanover County, she was the youngest child of the late Louis A. and Nellie Gornto Covil. Marie received a BS degree in Social Work from East Carolina University. After graduating, she worked for the university and later moved to Raleigh where she was employed by the State Board of CPA Examiners.  She worked for the NCDOT until retirement and then as a Legislative Assistant for the NC General Assembly until her second retirement. Marie was an avid advocate for people with autism. Along with several other mothers, and the Autism Society of NC, she was part of a team that developed Creative Living, a model vocational program for adults with autism. Burial will be 11:30 am Thursday at Brier Creek Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm Thursday at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh. The family will receive friends at the church following the service in the Jane Bell Gathering Place. Survivors include her son, Robert A. Horne; daughter, Elizabeth Harmon; grandson, Justin Harmon; sister-in-law, Edith Horne and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant son, George; brothers, Victor, Ellis, and Elmo Covil; sisters, Anne Covil Motte and Elizabeth Covil Shingleton and her former husband, Thomas B. Horne. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to The Autism Society of NC. 505 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, NC 27605. For their great care of Marie, the family would like to thank Independence Village of Olde Raleigh, Home Choice Health Care and Transitions LifeCare.