Effie Mae Dalton

Over ninety-five years ago, Effie Mae Showalter Dalton was born on March 4, 1929 in Floyd County, Virginia. Her father, Giles Henry Showalter was 26 (1903-1936), and her mother, Clona Belle Huff Showalter, was 23 (1905-1989). Effie joined the Showalter household with an older sister, Carrie Virginia Showalter Duncan 1922-2012 (Asa), and an older brother, Esley Alton Showalter 1925-1979 (Canary Ann). Later two more sisters, Lillian Edith Showalter Quesenberry 1933-2022 (Buford), and Lorene Showalter Marshall 1935- 2022 (Coburn), were born making Effie the middle child.

When Effie was only seven her father died at the young age of 33, leaving her mother to raise five children under the age of 14. Times were hard with the Great Depression in full swing. But, Clona was a hard-working housewife and mother and she continued to raise her modest family as best she could.

Effie married a 24-year-old farmer, Harold Eugene Dalton, on December 21, 1946, in the home of a Primitive Baptist minister, Elder Jethro S. Harris where his wife served as a witness. They had a double wedding with Effie’s oldest sister, Carrie, and Asa Duncan. Asa was Eugene’s first cousin on his mom’s side. Because Effie was only 17 years old at the time, her mother provided a note of permission.

Prior to their marriage, Gene began purchasing land in the Horse Ridge area of Indian Valley, Virginia, where he eventually built a quaint home. While Gene farmed 52 acres and worked at the Radford Arsenal for nearly 33 years, Effie maintained the home, helping to raise their three children. Effie and Gene resided there for over 50 years until a fire destroyed their home, taking the life of Gene on January 12, 2003. Effie moved to Christiansburg in 2003 where she lived until her permanent homegoing.

Effie and Eugene were a part of the original ten charter members of the Indian Valley Church of God, which was organized in 1949, where Rev. Dorsie Phillips became the founding pastor. Effie’s sister, Lillian and their mother, Clona, were also part of those original ten members. 

During their marriage, Effie and Gene gave birth to three children: Lowell Bradley Dalton 1948-2016 (Nina); Lois Elaine Dalton Millis 1952-2009 (Chuck); and Titus Eugene Dalton 1958 (Glenda). 

The Lord blessed her with four grandchildren: David Jonathan Millis 1982; Jasmine Robin Millis Neese 1985 (Aaron); Bethany L. Dalton 1985; and Chad Edward Dalton 1989 (friend Anokhi). She also loved her great-grandchildren: Gwenyvere Marie Quiett 2008, and Simon Wolfgang Quiett 2013. She was thankful for an abundance of special nieces and nephews.

Effie lived through the death of her parents, siblings, husband, and two of their children. While she faced many challenges and hardships here on earth, she finished her race clinging to Jesus, His mercy, and His forgiveness. She is survived by her son Titus (Glenda).

Throughout her life, Effie enjoyed growing plants, crocheting, driving her Volkswagen Beetle, using the CB radio with Gene (Country Girl and Blacksmith) where they made friends far and wide, singing with her sisters both in person and on the phone, and listening to gospel music and preaching on her television when she could no longer attend church. She is also a cancer survivor.

Titus, Glenda, and Chad would like to thank her special caregivers from over the years: Tina Coleman, Liz Cintron, Kathy Cook, Jaime McNabb, Valerie Messick, Judy Wells, Wanda Cromer, Travis & Sandra King, and Edith Cabanas for their care and love; Megan Cox & staff from Medi Hospice; and the caring staff at NRV Carilion hospital for their kindness towards us during her last days. 

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 16, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Kenneth Poston, Indian Valley Church of God (2223 Macks Mountain Road Indian Valley, VA), and Chandler Jones, Compassion Church- Radford, officiating. Interment to follow in the Showalter Cemetery, Indian Valley. Family will receive friends on Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 2-4pm at Horne. Online condolences may be left by visiting Horne Funeral Service and Crematory, Inc. https://www.hornefuneralservice.com.