Marvin E. Horne, 80, passed away peacefully at home in Smithfield, surrounded by family on Sunday, September 22. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 50 years, Bonnie; his daughter, Traci Garland, her husband Vaughn, and their daughter, Aileana Saoirse, Marvin’s beloved granddaughter; his brother Morris T. Horne (‘Junior’); special cousins Peggy Langford and her husband, Alan, and Linda Hobbs; his brother-in-law Daniel Burch, whom he considered like a son; his nieces and nephews; and his best friend John Higgins of Kansas City. He was preceded in death by his parents Morris Horne, Sr. and his mother, Pearl, whom he devotedly cared for in her later years.

Marvin had a brilliant mind, a strong moral compass, and insatiable curiosity. His many interests included: historical fiction, Biblical archaeology and history, genealogy, watching soccer and Australian football, and drumming. He was a lifelong member of the American Chemical Society, and a fan of his alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University. In his later years, he also enjoyed having long conversations with his young granddaughter on topics ranging from astrophysics to the British royal family.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church in Suffolk at 10 am on Thursday, October 10. A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Friday, October 11 at Southlawn Memorial Park, in Prince George County, Virginia, near Marvin’s hometown of Petersburg.