Ruth Sherrill Dalton

Ruth Sherrill Dalton died at home on January 1, 2011 after a lengthy illness. She has finished the race well; she has kept the faith! Born in Charlotte on July 28, 1926, Ruth was the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Frank O Sherrill, Sr. She graduated from the National Cathedral School of Washington, DC and attended Queens College of Charlotte. On June 7, 1947 she married her beloved Rufus Dalton, also of Charlotte, with whom she enjoyed 63 years of marriage. They lived in Raleigh while Rufus finished college at NC State University. Ruth and Rufus also lived in Whitnel, Stanley, Mt Holly, and Greenville SC before moving to Mooresville in 1954.

Ruth and Rufus moved back to Charlotte in 1965. Ruth was a member of the Methodist church all her life, most recently of the Myers Park United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher. After her children were out of the nest, she became a successful interior decorator having obtained a correspondence degree from the New York School of Design. She was also a partner, then sole proprietor, of Party Pizzazz, a floral and gift shop that specialized in weddings, receptions and other celebrations. She was a past president of the Florence Crittendon Home, a member of the Mint Museum Auxiliary, the Charlotte Debutante Club and the German Club. She and her husband were members of the Charlotte Country Club, the Charlotte City Club and Grandfather Mountain Golf and Country Club. She was also a member of Bible Study Fellowship. She enjoyed traveling with Rufus and experienced many adventures with him, including the ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro.

In addition to her husband Rufus, she is survived by her daughter, Muffin Grant of Charlotte; her son Rufus Jr and his wife Karen of Bynum; her son Bob and his wife Barbi of Chapel Hill; and her son David and his wife Jill of Charlotte; her grandchildren Sarah Graham and husband Jeff, Mitch Grant and wife Kristie, Reeves Dalton, Casey Dalton, Kurt Dalton, Delaney Dalton, Chandler Dalton, Bentley Dalton; her great-grandchildren Fletcher and Archer Graham and Olivia, Thomas and William Grant. She is also survived by a large extended family, all of whom were special to her.

Throughout her life, Ruth had a gift for making those around her comfortable and appreciated. She will be remembered for her love of and interest in people from all stations in life, but especially for her devotion to her family and many friends. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, daughter, sister and friend. The family is grateful to all those friends who have offered much love and support during her long bout with Alzheimer’s.

Ruth’s family especially wants to thank her dedicated and loving caregivers for their tender and special care over more than 15 years. All love to Jeanette Smith, Verla Miller, Victoria Seegars, Tammy Ingram, Steffeny T Harris, Letrice Gordon, Claudette Allen and Meredith Austin.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church on Tuesday, January 4 at 2:00 pm followed by a reception in the church’s Jubilee Hall.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Ruth’s memory to North Carolina Outward Bound School, 1351 E Morehead St, Ste 5, Charlotte NC 28204, Western Carolina Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220, or Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 7845 Little Ave, Charlotte, NC 28226