Michael Henry Horne

WADESBORO – On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Mr. Michael Henry Horne, 61, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home.

There will be a memorial service at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 16, 2025, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Amy Lambert and Rev. Heather McIntyre officiating.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Leavitt Funeral Home and other times at Michael Horne Florist.

Michael was born May 5, 1964, in Anson County, NC and was the youngest son born to Claude William Horne and Mabel Ruth Harrington Horne.

He was a 1982 graduate of Southview Academy in Wadesboro and attended Wingate University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

As a child, it was evident that Michael had a love for plants and flowers. This love was passed to him by his grandmother Harrington and his mother. He enjoyed growing plants and beautiful flowers.

When he was a teenager, he first went to work with Allen Floral Gardens in Wadesboro and later he worked at Anson Flower Shop. Both Billy Warner and Doris McLendon gave him the opportunity to explore his gift of floral arranging.

After moving to Greensboro, he became employed with Bob Clemmons Florist and later with Jim North at Designs North. He worked for several years in Greensboro, creating a name for himself in the florist industry and working hard to maintain a good, professional relationship with his colleagues and customers.

In 2001, following the death of his father, Michael was encouraged to consider returning home to Wadesboro to open a florist. On April 15, 2002, Michael and his brother Alan created a partnership and opened Michael Horne Florist. For 23 years, Michael offered flowers and gifts for all occasions, weddings, funerals, and day-to-day celebrations. He introduced to the community different ways to express feelings, share love and concern with beautiful flowers and gifts alike. Michael often said, “We do not just sell flowers, we sell emotions that go with flowers.”

Michael often participated in floral competitions in North Carolina and attended conferences and training, as well. He was recognized as Designer of the Year in 2000 with Greensboro Triad Professional Florist Association, and he won First Place in the Teleflora Wedding Bouquet Competition.

He was a North Carolina Certified Professional Florist and participated in North Carolina State Florists Association Wonderful Wedding Workshops, Southern Retail Florists Association Flower Forums and Teleflora Creative Edge Design Influences events.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church; Wadesboro and he often shared his gifts and talent with the church.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his brother, Alan Horne; his cousins, Bill Smethie (Mary Katherine), Becky Smethie Darling (Pete), Barbara Smethie Griffin, Lisa Davis Snow, Lourdes Davis Yarborough, and Emeline Horne Northcutt; a sister of the heart, Maria Flesher; his beloved cats at both the florist and home and his extended family of customers and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Jonah Dock Harrington and Annie Ruth Hill Harrington and by his paternal grandparents, Rufus Henry Horne and Leola Caudle Horne.

Alan would like to express his heartfelt thanks to their friends, who he has named Michael’s Angels for all they have done for him since his passing. The outpouring of love and concern has been a gift and testament to the lives Michael touched.

Although flowers are welcome, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 118 E. Morgan St., Wadesboro, NC 28170 or to Friends of the Anson County Animal Shelter, c/o EWR CPA, P.O. Box 828, Wadesboro NC 28170 or to the Ryan White Foundation, 5600 Fishers LN, Rockville, MD 20857.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com