July 26, 1927 - April 9, 2010
Dates of Service: 1945 - 1946
Gattis Truett Horton was a teacher at Vaiden Whitley High School from 1967-1982 in vocational agriculture and shop. He also taught night classes for farmers in welding and other skills needed in farming. Mr. Horton was a member and deacon at Knightdale Baptist Church and was a teacher in Adult Sunday School class. As a teacher, Truett taught young boys how to become men with integrity and faith.
While teaching at Vaiden Whitley, Truett would take a group of high school boys (usually 12-20 boys) to FFA camp at White Lake to compete in athletics with other schools in various sports. This team-building activity enabled young men to become part of something bigger than themselves.
During the hog cholera outbreak in the mid 1960’s to early 1970’s, Truett would perform inspections at hog farms as required by the state of NC prior to hogs being bought and sold and moving from farm to farm. This helped to prevent the spread of the disease. Finally, being a man with a farming background, Truett always had large gardens which he would share with neighbors, church members, friends, and others who were in need and truly grateful for his generosity!
