Horace Preston worked for many years as a crane operator and truck driver for A. Bloomberg Company until retirement. Once retired, he engaged in his own transport service, where he worked until his health failed. He died November 7. He was 84.

Preston was born on July 27, 1927 in Newborn, Ga. He was the seventh of 10 siblings born to Milbourne and Mary Preston.

Having accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age, Preston was baptized upon his confession of faith and continued to workout his salvation at Springfield Baptist Church in Newborn. He was educated in the Newborn school system prior to migrating to Philadelphia.

Shortly after his arrival in Philadelphia, he met Ernestine Preston, and in 1944 they married. To this union two sons were born.

He united with Second Pilgrim Baptist Church under the late Reverend R.L. Thomas immediately upon arriving in Philadelphia and was an avid member of the Inspirational Chorus. 

He later united with True Grace Memorial House of Prayer where he was ordained Deacon. In 2002, he united with Universal Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Robert M. Preston’s leadership. He joined the Inspirational Chorus, now known as the Cunningham Inspirational Chorus, and was soon appointed Deacon Emeritus.

Preston was a faithful member of Universal Missionary Baptist Church until July 2011.

Preston leaves to mourn: brother, Milborn and sister-in-law, Marie Preston; son, Vernon; grandchildren, Marlon, Shantel, Ryan, Bryan, Tanisha and Dawn, offspring of Vernon; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, great-grandchildren, and great-great-nieces and -nephews.

Preston was preceded in death by his wife and his son, Jerome.

Services will be held November 16 at Universal Missionary Baptist Church, 4401 Germantown Ave. It will start at noon. Ray Funeral Home handled the arrangements.