Billie Mitchell "Bitsy" (Alexander) Horton passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in Henderson. Born on February 17, 1940, she was raised in Sumner County, Tennessee, surrounded by a wonderful extended family.

Bitsy attended Peabody College in Nashville and then worked as a stewardess for United Airlines until she met her first husband, Dem Allen, with whom she raised three children, Demi Allen (Cezanne) of Bainbridge Island, WA, and Jennifer Raibley (Brent) and Paige Henning (Troy) of Newburgh, Indiana. Shortly after Demi was born, the family moved from New Jersey back to Sumner County and then settled in Evansville in the late 1960's, where they raised their kids.

Tennis was a big part of Bitsy's life as a young parent, and she worked as a membership/events director for three different tennis clubs in Evansville over the years and served on the board of a tennis non-profit organization. She supported each of her kids developing in competitive tennis, and she was proud (and happy) that they each received tennis scholarships at Division 1 colleges.

A few years after Dem died suddenly at the age of 48, Bitsy was introduced by persistent mutual friends to Mark Horton of Henderson (by way of Ontario, Canada), whose first wife had died in an accident. The two embarked on a new romance, and Bitsy was like a teenage girl in love. They married in 1987 and formed an expanded family with Mark's daughter Brooke, and they were happily married for nearly 40 years. Their house overlooking the Ohio River in Henderson was the site of many events and family gatherings, and Bitsy was a warm and welcoming hostess. Bitsy loved the Bahamas, especially Nassau/Paradise Island, and she and Mark made several trips there together to walk the beach and enjoy island music.

Christmas was Bitsy's favorite season, and she transformed her home into a magical Christmas wonderland for her grandkids, Haley and Bryson Allen, Emma and Reed Raibley, and Katelyn and Alex Henning. The grandkids had many memorable Christmas celebrations at Bitsy's house, and they will remember it throughout their lives.

Bitsy was active in her church, and she served on the Session (board) of the Presbyterian Church of Henderson and together with her husband Mark, taught children's Sunday school several years. Additionally, Bitsy was a member of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) where she was both a women's and children's leader. Bitsy also took three of her grandchildren with her to BSF weekly until they were school age.  She also served on the board of the Ohio Valley Art League and served a term as its president, and she skillfully managed several rental properties in the Henderson area.

The later years of Bitsy's life were dominated by a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Mark and the family watched her slowly lose cognitive and physical function over a period of roughly eight years, but we are grateful that through it all Bitsy retained her kind and loving way of being. She repeatedly told members of her family "I love you – A LOT," with her eyebrows raised for emphasis, and she often told caregivers and other people she encountered "You are beautiful." Her loving and sweet way of being made her beloved by several of her caregivers in her last year. Mark was a constant and devoted presence by her side as she went through her long journey. The family wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to the caring nurses, aides, and social workers at Redbanks and St. Anthony's Hospice for their skillful care.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Presbyterian Church of Henderson; details will be available on the church website.

Those who wish to honor Bitsy are invited to make a gift in her memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America alzfdn.org or to St. Anthony's Hospice stanthonyshospice.org.

Online condolences may be made through Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home at www.rudyrowland.com.