Tributes

Claudia Dalton was born January 27th, 1927, in Stephenville, Texas. She peacefully entered into the fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven and into the presence of her Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the morning of March 1, 2023, at the home of her daughter, Carol Brown, in Temple, Texas. During the last year she was like the apostle Paul, caught between a longing to depart and be with Christ and a desire to be with her family, especially her great-grandchildren, in whom she delighted. Claudia is survived by her sons and daughter and their spouses: Larry and Julie Dalton, Kenny and Sandy Dalton and Carol and Eric Brown; by Holly Manske, a daughter in spirit and in love; by seventeen grandchildren: Elisabeth Collier, Joshua Dalton, Michael Dalton, David Dalton, Rebecca Arce, Caleb Dalton, Emily Gaskell, Kathryn Colon, Josiah Dalton, Caroline Green, Sarah Hearn, Julia Cumming, John Dalton, Stephen Dalton, Daniel Dalton, John Eric Brown, Jeremiah Dalton; and by 37 great-grandchildren. All of these were dearly loved and deeply touched by “Gran’s” life. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Murl Dalton, her parents Claud and Effie Hudspeth, and her sisters Mary Locke, Ruby McCoy and Ruth Hudspeth, besides many other wonderful family members and dear friends. Claudia was truly a “Mother in Israel” who served God quietly and graciously, caring for members of the body of Christ, mentoring younger women, caring for older women, and always ready to welcome visitors for a meal or an overnight stay on a moment's notice. She was an amazing wife and mother, managing the home and leading the family when Murl was working out of town. When her children were at home, Claudia took an active interest in whatever they pursued and encouraged and supported them. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they adored her and loved being with her. In her later years, Claudia was an example of what it means to be “a widow indeed…well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work” (I Tim. 5:10). Still gracious in her old age, Claudia kept looking for ways to make things easier for us, even as she required more care. We will miss her presence and influence at our family gatherings, but rejoice with her as she is at this moment perfectly free from the spiritual and physical effects of sin, and experiencing the fullness of joy that there is in the glory of the continual presence of the Triune God!

Tributes

Claudia H. Dalton

January 27, 1927 - March 1, 2023