Mildred Irene Dalton

Jesus stretched out of His hand and said, "Well done my good and faithful servant, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith,"* welcome home!" And standing at the gates of heaven to rejoice in her homecoming is her beloved husband of fifty years, Paul A. Dalton, Sr. Mildred Irene Davis was born on August 12, 1921 in Ducktown, TN to Forrest and Cassie Ann "Cricket" (Jenkins) Davis who preceded her in death. She was born into eternity at her home on July 7, 2007 with her loving family at her side. She committed her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Mine City Baptist Church in Ducktown, TN and was baptized into the faith by the late Rev. David Livingston. At the time of her death she was an active member of Lebanon Baptist Church where she served her Lord faithfully. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved her "babies". She cared for her younger siblings after the untimely death of her own mother at an early age. Her sweet spirit and caring attitude make her a true friend to all who knew her. She graduated from Ducktown High School and Edmondson Business College. She taught school at Grassy Creek School in Polk County and was a substitute teacher at Wooten Elementary School in Bradley County. She retired from Allied Signal Corporation after 16 years. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Ocoee Chapter #420 for 38 years. She served in many leadership positions including Worthy Matron, Associate worthy Matron, all of the Star Points, Conductress, Associate Conductress and her most coveted position that of Chaplain. She also served on the grand Committee of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. She was known as the "pecan lady" for the thousands of pounds of pecans she sold in the annual fund raising project. She was a charter member of the Bradley/Cleveland Senior Activity Center where she made many friends. She was an activity volunteer and thoroughly enjoyed the many trips sponsored by the center. Her favorite hobby was traveling to see the many wonders of the world. She and her husband traveled in Europe and most of the 50 states. Prior to his death, Paul was a professional truck driver. After retiring he owned and drove a tour bus. She thoroughly enjoyed accompanying him on tours across the US whether in the ?cab? of the truck or as a passenger on his tour bus. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Evans, a great-granddaughter, Emily Ann Keller; a son-in-law, Jesse (Bob) James and four siblings: Lester Davis, Roy Lee Davis, Winifred Davis, Willie Davis and Elsie Ragsdale. Four children and spouses are left to cherish her memory, three daughters: Sheila (Ricky) Carson, Patsy (Delmer) James Gooden, Theresa Evans and son, Paul A. (Joan) Dalton, Jr. She leaves nine grandchildren and spouses: Mindy Earwood, Lindsay (Robbie) Riggs, Cassie (Mike) Keller, Chris (JoAnn) James, Bobby James, Michael Evans, Melissa (Eric) Brown, Delicia Dalton, and Charise (Mike) Helton. Fourteen great grandchildren will miss the hugs, kisses and smiles of "Mamaw Mildred". They include: Jill, RaeAnn and Kadie Keller, Cami and Kelsey James; Macie and Landon Earwood; Shelby and Dylan Riggs; Marissa, Brook, and Christy Brown; MiKayla Evans and Ashleigh Helton. She is also survived by four siblings and spouses as well as two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law: brother, Troy (Linda) Davis; three sisters, Lorriane O?Neal (who was her best friend), Marie Dillard and Gladys (Jack) Dillard, two sisters-in-law, Hazel Godfrey, Fairel (J.D.) Caraway and a brother-in-law, Roy (Carla) Dalton. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons; Chris James, Bobby James and Michael Evans; grandsons-in-law: Mike Keller, Robbie Riggs and Mike Helton; sons-in-law, Ricky Carson, Delmer Gooden and family friend, Donnie Gaines. Honorary pallbearers will be brothers-in-law, Jack Dillard and J.D. Caraway. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on July 9, 2007 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. An Eastern Star Service will be on July 9, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home. A home going service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 10, 2007 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with her pastor the Reverend Richard McKeehan officiating. Concluding service will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Dalton guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com. *2 Timothy 4:7; Matthew 25:21