Ruth Dalton

Ruth Jackson Dalton, 92, of Fayetteville, died on Monday, December 26, 2022.

Born June 17, 1930 in Cumberland County, Ruth was the daughter of the late Dossie Lee Jackson and Mattie Belle Davis Jackson. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Graham Odell Dalton, Sr.; brother, Maj. Franklin Jackson, USMC; and daughter-in-law, Linda Dalton.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Odell Dalton and Tiffany; son, David Dalton and Paula McKeag; son, Andy Dalton and Kathy; son, Mark Dalton and Lynne; daughter, Kelly Dalton and Peter Cashwell; grandchildren Franklin, Gary, Dina, Taylor, Sara, Emily, Justin, Stacey, Memory, Ian, and Dixon; 12 great grandchildren; brother, Dr. Dennis Jackson; sister, Shirley Blake; sister, Brenda May; brother, Dr. Michael Jackson; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.

Ruth was the postmaster at the former Cumberland post office for many years. In her fifties, she went back to school at UNC-Chapel Hill and earned her pharmacy degree, then worked as a pharmacist at several local drugstores. She volunteered with the Care Clinic and the afterschool tutoring program at her church, and went on multiple medical mission trips to Nicaragua.

She was an enthusiastic lifelong learner, and took classes in everything from Spanish to line dancing to tatting. She was always willing to try new experiences and new foods, and attended her first rock concert at 92!

Ruth loved Cumberland Methodist Church. She faithfully attended services, Sunday school and the ladies’ group, sang in the choir, served on many church committees, and tithed every month.

She adored board and card games, especially Scrabble, and would get down on the floor and challenge you to a game of jacks well into her eighties. (She usually won!) She always took the time to play games with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her fried chicken, biscuits, and sweet tea were legendary, and she has passed on the belief that the very best tea is made in giant glass jars that used to hold pickles.

Ruth was a master of every craft she ever picked up, and she picked up most of them. Her loved ones will treasure their knitted, crocheted, quilted, tatted, and beaded reminders of her affection and her skill.

She was well loved and will be greatly missed by her community, her friends, and most of all her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Ruth's honor be made to the Trustee Fund at Cumberland United Methodist Church.