Dorothy Jean Steed Welch Horney

Dorothy Jean Steed Welch Horney, 95, of Siler City passed away peacefully on January 1, 2023, at Universal Health Care, Ramseur, NC.   

Mrs. Horney was born on March 14, 1927, in Broadway, NC to William Penn Steed and Nora Tillman Thomas Steed. She spent her early life in Greensboro, NC before making Chatham County her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Clyde Welch, her husband of 52 years: Harry Lee Horney; daughter: Jeanne W. Stone; and her many brothers and sisters.  

Jean was a member of Brush Creek Baptist Church for over 70 years. She served and led many of the church’s committees, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for decades. She worked alongside her husband, Harry Lee, and his brothers and wives to build Carolina Stockyard into one of the largest livestock auction companies in the southeast.    

She is survived by her son, Mike Welch and wife Wanda of Carlsbad, NM; daughter, Patty Neinast and husband Mark of Gastonia, NC; son in law: Jerry Stone of Siler City; grandchildren: Michael Welch and wife Deanna, Wendy Welch Chesser and husband Rev. Rody Chesser, John Gaddy, Jason Gaddy, Jessica Stone Roman and husband Junior Roman, Justin Stone, Will Neinast and wife, Kathryn Painter Neinast, and Dr. Claire Neinast Quinn and husband, Jake Quinn; 22 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. 

A funerial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Brush Creek Baptist Church, at 2:00 PM with Dr. Patrick Fuller officiating. Family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall.    

Memorials may be made to Brush Creek Baptist Church, 5345 Airport Rd., Bear Creek, NC 27207. Donations will be used for the missions fund and the music fund, both of which were important to Mrs. Horney.  

Smith and Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Horney family. 

Online condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com