Doris Jean Loudermilk Dalton, 89, passed from this world to be with her Heavenly Father, April 25, 2020. Doris was born and raise in the community of Hackett just southwest of Greenwood, Arkansas. She was the youngest of six siblings who all preceded her in death. Doris was the daughter of Jim and Dena Loudermilk. Doris attended school in Greenwood from 1st grade until she graduated high school. She married James Albert Dalton of Fort Smith on March 26, 1950. They had two children, Joy Lynn Dalton Slayton and James (Jim) Albert Dalton, Jr. (Joyce). Doris’s husband James died in January 1955. Doris took her children and moved back to the Loudermilk farm with her parents after her husband died. She never remarried. In 1961, she moved with her children to Searcy, Arkansas to attend Harding University. She remained in Searcy for the remainder of her life.
In 1976, she took a position with Harding University as a dorm director. She remained in that position for 25 years and was very popular with the students, staff and administration of the university. Upon retirement, her daughter, Joy filled that position and Doris stayed in her home at the dorm with Joy for the remainder of her life.
Doris attended the Church of Christ her entire life and was in worship service ever week of her life until her health prevented it. Doris loved her God, she loved her family, and she loved her work at Harding University. Doris modeled the love of her savior Jesus Christ for her children. She could be firm when needed, but she had a heart as big as the world.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her five siblings, and one granddaughter, Leah Slayton, and great-granddaughters Ashlyn and Jacqualyn Slayton.
Doris is survived her daughter, Joy; son, Jim (Joyce); four grandchildren, Ken Slayton (Stephanie), Dena Ironside (Nathan), Matthew Dalton (Hope) and Erin Dalton and great grandchildren, Courtney Slayton, James Ironside, Carli Slayton, Daniel Ironside, William Douglas and Aiden Dalton.
The family will have a private graveside service on Thursday, April 30 at Ramsey Cemetery in Hackett under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
