Members of Victory Missionary Baptist Church will host a Birthday Service for Elgenia Hornbeck’s 90th birthday at 3pm on November 1, 2009.Mrs. Hornbeck grew up in Stroud, Oklahoma. She attended Golden Valley Elementary School. The Hornbeck family lived across the street from the school. She attended Douglass High School in Chandler, Oklahoma. There were 56 students in her graduating class. “There are only 3 of us left from my graduating class; Each day I read the paper I see someone that I know”.
Elgenia married Cello B. Hornbeck in 1939. They had ten children, Billie Joe, Opal, Bettye Ann, Odie, Clyde, Patricia, Vickie, Steve, Brenda and Pam. She has 29 grandchildren, 39 great grand children and 21 great, great grand children.
Mrs. Hornbeck and her husband were faithful, dedicated church workers at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church for many years. Mrs. Hornbeck and her husband served on the Usher Board where Mrs. Hornbeck performed as President for several different times. She continued to serve faithfully on the usher board until surgery on her legs prohibited her from standing.
Mr. & Mrs. Hornbeck took their ten children to church every night of the week except Fridays, the children were permitted to attend football games. They participated in various church auxiliaries such as, Girls Auxiliary, Baptist Training Union, Prayer Meeting, Youth Choir Rehearsal, Sr. Choir Rehearsal and Usher Board Meetings.
In the fall of 1985, former pastor, Rev. J.A. Smith and 41 former members organized a new church, Victory Missionary Baptist. Mrs. Hornbeck was among the 41 members. She was active on the Homecoming Committee and was appointed chairperson of the Church Building Fund. Today at the age of 90, she continues to hold this position. Mrs. Hornbeck is a faithful tither, contributes financially to every church project and special event
Over the years she helped with chicken dinners and car washes. She worked wherever and whenever she was needed. She prided herself in cooking apple pies for the various church bake sales.
When we moved to Oklahoma City, I started working for Dr. A.C. Lisle. He was the head physician at St. Anthony Hospital. He and his wife had 3 beautiful sons that I took care of. I work for them for 45 years.
Mrs. Hornbeck loved her job almost as much as she does her church. She says it is important to her to be dependable and on time for church and her job. “My husband always put mud and snow tires on my car so I could get to work safely and on time. I told my husband, if I can go to work in all kinds of weather, then I can go to church.”
“I love my church. I always wanted to live to see us get a BIG church like Victory.
Our other church was very small. I wanted us to have a BIG church because I have a large family and I want my funeral to be at my church”
Mrs. Hornbeck said her church family members reaches out to her every week, When she calls for transportation to church, she gets the ride she needs. She attends church every week. If there is a special program away from church, she goes. If there is an Afternoon program, she stays for that service. She still eats pig feet, corn bread and turnip greens.
Mrs. Hornbeck is an Inspiration to everyone at Victory Missionary Baptist Church. She served as an usher for many years until surgery on her legs prohibited her from standing. She has not used the lack of mobility, headache, and just plain tired as an excuse to stay home from church.
Mrs. Hornbeck and her wheel chair at church each week, are a constant reminder to each of us to Serve God faithfully, no matter what the situation or your station in life. Mrs. Elgenia Hornbeck is truly a “Woman Among Women”.
