John Montgomery Horne, Sr., 79, of Oxford, and formerly of Inverness, passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital of North Mississippi in Oxford.

Monty was born November 7, 1942, in Greenwood, to Thomas Gaston Horne and Mildred Montgomery Horne. He attended Inverness High School and graduated from Mississippi Delta Junior College. He was a United States Army Veteran and served in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He married Virginia Booth on October 3, 1965, and together they made their home in Inverness. Monty owned and operated Horne Petroleum in Inverness for many years.  After retirement, he and Virginia moved to Oxford.

Monty was proud to be from the Mississippi Delta and was proud to claim Inverness as his true home. He adored his beloved grandchildren, who meant the world to him, and treasured his time with neighbors and friends. Monty loved deeply and with a compassionate spirit. He always had dog food in his truck for stray animals. He often gave money or tanks of gas to people in need, mostly strangers unaware. During football season, he was always cheering his Ole Miss Rebels from the South end zone. Monty's favorite days were filled with drinking coffee and telling stories, some true and some not. He firmly believed the true Southern tradition to, "never let the truth get in the way of a good story."

Monty was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Stuart Horne; and brother, Thomas Gaston Horne, Jr.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Virginia Booth Horne of Oxford; son, John Montgomery Horne, Jr. of Waynesboro; daughter, Shannon Horne Woodson of Ridgeland; 4 grandchildren, Hallie Horne, Ann Stuart Woodson, Rand Woodson, and McLeod Woodson; three brothers, Stanton (Annie) Horne of Greenwood, Richard Horne of Inverness, and Jim (Keith) Horne of Pascagoula; sister-in-law, Ree Horne of Inverness; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A private family service will be held Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Inverness with Rev. Seth Walley officiating. Graveside service will follow at 10:45 am, at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Inverness and will be open to the public. Visitation will be held from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm, Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Oakhurst Plantation, East Grand Avenue, Inverness, MS. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Indianola Academy, Stuart Horne Memorial Fund, PO Box 967, Indianola, MS 38751.