Robert Milton Gwaltney Sr.

Robert Milton Gwaltney, Sr, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2020. He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Claire Brown Gwaltney; two sons and their spouses, Robert Milton Gwaltney, Jr. (Elizabeth); Philip Myron Gwaltney (Caroline); two grandsons, Graham and Bennett Gwaltney, all of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Additional family includes Jane Brown Teel of Opelika, AL, Katie and Jim Teel of Atlanta, GA, Elizabeth and David Hibberts, and great-niece Smith, of Mobile, AL, and many beloved cousins.

Milton was born in Dothan, Alabama to Robert Franklin and Mavis Williams Gwaltney. He is a 1963 graduate of Dothan High School and continued his education at Marian Institute earning an Associate of Arts degree. Milton was a proud graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Business Administration and a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He served in the Air National Guard.

In 1970, he married Claire Brown, also originally from Dothan, AL. After a brief time in Albany, Georgia, the couple moved back to Alabama and have resided in Vestavia Hills since 1976. Milton enjoyed a successful career in the sales and information technology industries, retiring from Alacare Home Health Company as Director of Information Technology and Facilities.

Milton was an active and faithful member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church for the past 44 years. He served in many roles including Deacon, Mission Team Coordinator, Chapel Choir Sponsor, Church Treasurer, Usher, and Sunday School Teacher. He and Claire have taught 2nd grade Sunday School for over 35 years—ministering to families and sharing the love of Jesus with a smile and always a pocketful of peppermint candy. He was a gifted craftsman and woodworker, using his skills for Dawson ministries in a variety of ways. Miniature nativities, crosses, and the ever popular marshmallow guns from KidLife (VBS) are cherished by families as tangible reminders of the joy that comes from faith in Jesus.

Because of his genuine love for people and his welcoming nature, Milton ministered to countless church members and visitors over the years as an usher at the front doors to Dawson’s sanctuary. He may not have known every name, but he knew every face and was a constant reminder of how to be a dedicated, intentional, and faithful servant.

Milton’s love for the Lord, his family, a good story, and a beautiful day on the lake will be cherished and remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. While his family mourns the loss of a treasured husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, they are comforted in knowing that as a believer, he is whole and new, having “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Milton can be made to Dawson Memorial Baptist Church and its ministries or the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation:

Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, 1114 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209, DawsonChurch.org/give

Alpha Delta Pi Foundation, 1386 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, alphadeltapi.org/foundation