Celebrating 104 Years

Miss Louise Horney of Denton celebrated her 104th birthday on Sunday, January 5th with a festive birthday parade. Friends, neighbors, and admirers gathered to honor this remarkable Caroline County legend.
The birthday parade has become an annual tradition, beginning in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeanne Scott, a close friend of Miss Horney and organizer of the birthday parades, initially started the event to ensure Miss Louise could safely celebrate her 100th birthday milestone. What began as a creative solution has grown into a cherished community event, complete with local police and fire vehicles at the beginning and end of the parade.
Participants lined up at Denton Elementary School and drove by Miss Louise’s home, dropping off cards and gifts, speaking to her through a two-way radio system, and enjoying cupcakes baked in her honor. For Miss Louise, the parade is more than just a celebration—it’s a reminder of how deeply she is loved. “She says the parades make her feel special because people care enough to do them,” Jeanne shared. “Although she can’t see everyone, she knows exactly who they are and treasures hearing their voices.”
Miss Louise has lived her entire life in Caroline County, growing up on a farm in Hobbs. As one of 12 children, she often helped her mother with household chores. Her childhood memories are deeply rooted in the farmland along what is now Willoughby Road, where Jeanne and her husband, Greg, now reside.
Miss Louise carved out a remarkable life in Denton. After studying secretarial work at Goldey-Beacom in Wilmington, Delaware, she worked for local attorneys and businesses- including for Phil Nuttle and Gale’s Electric- before becoming a stay-at-home mother. She raised two sons with her first husband, Paul Vernon Sharp Sr., who passed away while their boys were still young. Despite this loss, Miss Louise maintained her strong faith in God and her warm demeanor.
At the age of 60, she was remarried to Roy Horney. Over the decades, her family has grown to include five grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Her youngest son, Rick, and his wife, Marsha, are constants in her life, as is her dedicated caretaker, Janet Shaffer.
The annual birthday parades are a reflection of the community’s admiration for Miss Louise. Jeanne recalled how the card drop, a staple of the parade since its inception, has become one of Miss Louise’s favorite parts of the celebration. “She loves having the cards read to her,” Jeanne said.
While Miss Louise is deeply grateful for these celebrations, she yearns for more face-to-face connections. “She mentioned that as special as it is to hear everyone, she would love the opportunity to sit and visit with them,” Jeanne shared. “She misses so many people and treasures her faithful visitors.”
A lifelong Bible reader and member of Ames United Methodist Church in Hobbs, she now listens to scripture on audio and spends her time pondering passages in new ways. To keep her mind sharp, Miss Louise quizzes herself on state names and Eastern Shore counties.
For Jeanne and others who know her, Miss Louise is a treasure. According to Jeanne, her wit and quick humor make her a joy to be around. “She is the most beautiful person, inside and out,” Jeanne said. “Her stories about growing up here, her kindness and her incredible spirit make her a true gem of our community.”
Miss Louise quipped that she sometimes thinks the Lord forgot to turn her clock off, but she knows He has a reason for everything. She may wonder why she’s still here, but for those who gathered to celebrate her 104th birthday, the answer is obvious: she brightens the lives of everyone she meets.
Miss Louise’s advice for the rest of us here in Caroline County is simple: “Just enjoy your life while you can, because someday you might get old and can’t do the things you want to do, so do it while you’re able.”