On October 11, 1908 she was married to Lee William Dalton, also a native of Henry County and to this union were born ten children. She joined the Tebo Baptist Church at an early age and remained a faithful member. She loved her church and attended regularly as long as her health permitted. She lived a devoted Christian life and was a loving mother, setting a good example for all who came to know her. Her greatest joy was to have her children come home for a meal. It didn't matter if there were two or a dozen, she had prepared for all. She was a talented cook and well versed in the arts of homemaking. She had many friends and relatives visit her and even after entering the rest home they found her to be an inspiration to them. Her cheerful disposition always radiated sunshine, and she was noted for a loving smile which she was generous in giving to all who came. She was very patient and kind, never complaining and kept up with news of her family and friends. Although she lived to be 102 years, 3 months and 6 days, she put up a triumphant fight, but had said several times she was ready to go home to her Maker. What a heritage she has left for her family.
She spent so much time in her last years in making crocheted tablecloths, bed spreads and doilies. It would be impossible to count the many beautiful quilts she has made, giving them to children and grandchildren to enjoy and treasure each stitch of love she put into them. Bertha and Lee were permitted to celebrate 60 years plus 3, together and in 1983 she was chosen as the Grandmother of the Year from Missouri, where 210 of her family were entertained at Jefferson City with a luncheon at the State Capitol with Mr. and Mrs. Kit Bond in her honor.
Her husband, Lee, passed away in December 1971 and a son, Gene, only a few months previous of the same year. In 1983 she lost another son, Emmett and only this year in July she lost a daughter, Geraldine Witherspoon. What a happy reunion with all those gone before along with several grandchildren, one brother and five sisters. She will be sadly missed by three sons, Carl Dalton of Ault, Colorado, William Dalton of Kingsley, Iowa, and LeRoy Dalton of Deepwater; four daughters, Laura Mae Barrows, Margie Sheek and Pauline Wood, all of Clinton, and Doris June Evans of Deepwater. She leaves one brother, Hubert Sell, of Clinton, and a sister, Cora Bernard of Clinton, and Anita Lionberger of Greely, Colorado. Besides the seven living children she leaves 45 grandchildren, 131 great-grandchildren and 109 great-great-grandchildren, making a total of 292 living blood descendants. There are six adopted grandchildren and several step-grandchildren who thought of her as their own grandmother. The spouses of her children also loved her as she filled the vacancy of their own biological mother, as she accepted and loved them as her own. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 6, 1993 at 1:30 p.m. at the Tebo Baptist Church, Henry County, with Rev. Gary Meyers officiating. Some of her favorite hymns were sung by Mary Maude East, accompanied by Janice Peterman. The songs, so appropriate for this loved one were Where We'll Never Grow Old and Does Jesus Care?. Pallbearers were all grandsons, James Dalton, Larry Barrows, Dewayne Witherspoon, John Dalton, Randy Sheek and Larry Dalton. Honorary pallbearers were Roger Dalton, Fred Dalton and George Graham. Burial was in the Peaceful Cemetery at Calhoun. She was laid to rest under a mound of flowers among other loved ones. Consalus Funeral Home was in charge.
DALTON OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri
