Horton High School Alumni Association

05/01/2026

04/30/2026

The 2026 Class Reunion of the Classes is approaching, and we are eager to inform you of the next steps. All relevant information is available here for your reference, and please feel free to share with others.

04/30/2026

Join us for the 2026 Reunion of the Classes, an event that promises to deliver an unforgettable experience marked by great entertainment, delicious cuisine, and lasting memories.

01/20/2026

MLK what a period to remember.

11/22/2025

Megan Banks, a notable recipient of the Horton High Alumni Association's annual scholarship award, has been inducted into the Sigma Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. We offer our congratulations to her on this outstanding achievement.

09/16/2025

We are recognizing the alumni of Horton High School. Meet Phyllis then and now:

Rev. Phyllis K. Coates: A Life of Service and Dedication

Rev. Phyllis K. Coates is a native of Pittsboro NC and is the third of five children from the late Patience Taylor Knight & Lonnie M. Knight, Sr. She was a member of the final class of Horton High School in 1970. Phyllis has been a beacon of faith and service for many years.

Rev. Phyllis K. Coates has been recognized for her significant contributions and achievements throughout her career. She was the first black female hired by the Pittsboro Police Department, Carrboro Police Department, Orange County Sheriff Department, and Chatham County Sheriff’s Department; a groundbreaking set of achievements that paved the way for future generations. Her dedication to community service and law enforcement has been widely acknowledged, and she has received numerous accolades for her efforts.

In addition, following her career as a Law Enforcement Officer she transitioned to the position of a magistrate Judge a position she held for 17 years. She retired from state service as the highest-ranking black magistrate in 2002 with 30 years of service. She was not done in her service. She traded one robe for another when she began her service with the church in 1997 as a minister and transitioned to full time ministry in 2002.

Rev. Coates served as an Elder in Full Connection in the Western North Carolina Conference. Her pastoral journey included significant tenures at various churches, including St. Mary's United Methodist Church in Trinity and Raleigh's Crossroads United Methodist Church in Greensboro. In her final years of active ministry, she served alongside her late husband of 45 years Rev. George Melvin Coates at Hickory Grove UMC- Charlotte. To this union they gave birth to one son Rev. Dr. George Marcell Coates (Keita) and four grandchildren: the late Nyasha, Levi, Peter, and Alana. Her leadership and spiritual guidance have left a lasting impact on the congregations she served.

Even in retirement, Rev. Coates continues to be an active presence in the church community. She is currently serving at Camp Springs in Reidsville, Garretts Grove in Gibsonville, and Jackson in Brown Summit. Her ongoing commitment to her faith and community is a testament to her enduring spirit and dedication.

Rev. Coates's life and work continue to inspire and uplift those who have the privilege of knowing her. Her story is a shining example of what it means to live a life dedicated to faith and service.

09/15/2025

We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Macie Alston Hadley (Class of 1947) and Catherine Alston Green, who were honored at the Chatham County Aging Services in Pittsboro on September 11 for their remarkable achievement of 90+ years of vibrant living, inspiring us all with their boundless energy and enthusiasm. Macie, seated, is the mother of Barbara Hadley Link (Class of 1970), and Catherine is the mother of Helen Green Cotton (Class of 1970).

09/04/2025

Please join us in belatedly wishing Elna Alston Smith (Class of 1970) a happy birthday, hoping her special day on September 3rd was filled with joy, love, and blessings, and wishing her many more years of happiness.

09/04/2025

We extend our warmest wishes to our Executive President E. H. Dark (Class of 1965) on his birthday today. May his day be filled with joy, blessings and much love and of course many, many more!

08/30/2025

We take this opportunity to recognize the Austins on their 50th year anniversary celebration. Leon (Class of 1970) and his bride Julia have reached a milestone, a journey, a blessing and many other great things. Despite the ups and downs they have faced, God has kept them. They are surrounded by their family and friends and we see joy in all their photos.

08/25/2025

We are proud to recognize our scholarship recipients at the Reunion of the classes, wishing them continued success and blessings, and appreciate the Scholarship Committee for their ongoing commitment.