Linda Dalton

Linda Mashburn Dalton passed away at peace in her home on April 21, 2011.

Her parents Lt. Col. Snyder and Hilda Mashburn and her father-in-law Graham O. Dalton, Sr. predeceased her. Linda is survived by her husband Dr. G. Odell Dalton, Jr. and children Gary Godwin, Jr. and wife Gnell of Fayetteville, N.C., Frank Dalton and fiancee Juliette Gunther of Wake Forest, N.C., and Dina Lane and husband Billy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Survivors also include mother-in-law Ruth Dalton of Hope Mills, N.C. and grandchildren Dalton and Savanna Godwin of Fayetteville and Trenton Stoy, Molly Lane and Julia Lane of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her surviving sister Barbara Hager and husband Jim live in Oak Island, N.C. Linda was deeply loved by her brothers and sisters-in-law David Dalton, Andy and Kathy Dalton, Mark and Lynne Dalton and Kelly and Peter Cashwell.

Born in Ft. Devens, Massachusetts June 20, 1954, Linda moved with her family to Fort Bragg when she was six years old. She attended Ft. Bragg schools, Alexander Graham Jr. High and graduated from Reid Ross High School in 1972. In 1977, Linda completed her BA in Special Education graduating Magna Cum Laude from Pembroke State University and began a 32 year career with the Cumberland County School System. After teaching self contained special education classes for several years Linda earned a Master of Arts degree in learning disabilities from Fayetteville State University with highest honors. She became an educational diagnostician for children with learning disabilities and worked throughout the Cumberland County School System before being named co-coordinator of the Early Intervention Program for Handicapped Children for Cumberland County. Administration of this large program with her good friend Jill Basnight became her passion until she retired in December 2009.

Linda was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church, Highland Country Club, the Fayetteville Cotillion and numerous professional organizations. She was a 28 year member of the Wolfpack Club and enjoyed tailgating N. C. State football games with family and friends and always made the day's activities special. Bowl trip tickets were a frequent Christmas present for the kids and were enjoyed immensely.


Linda loved life and her infectious beautiful smile could brighten anyone's day. As a young adult, Linda was a competitive rider on the thoroughbred hunter jumper circuit throughout Virginia, North and South Carolina and she retained a love for horses, especially her beloved Tennessee Walker, Sampson, her entire life. With her mom and sister, Linda traveled extensively to Europe and Central America multiple times and enjoyed meeting new people on each trip. With her husband, she developed a love for the outdoors and relished kayaking and fly fishing trips to Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Montana and the Florida Keys and especially rafting and fly fishing in the many mountain streams near the family cabin in Jonathan Creek, N.C. She loved and was devoted to her family and was especially proud of her grandchildren.

Linda died of ovarian cancer but the cancer never diminished her loving sweet spirit and she lived with grace and amazing determination over the last two and a half years of multiple surgeries and chemotherapies at UNC hospitals and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. One of her dearest friends once wrote Linda a note saying "Never run faster than your guardian angel can fly!" Linda immediately responded "How fast can she fly?" She was so special and the world is a better place because she was here. Go ride in the sunshine Linda and chase some butterflies for us!

Our family would like to especially thank the wonderful membership of Marvin United Methodist Church in Grays Creek, our loving families, the staff at Central Animal Hospital, our dearest friends Greg and Toni Miller and all of our Cypress Lakes gang for the love, prayers and support that will never be forgotten.

Funeral services will be directed by Rev. Bill Altmon of Marvin United Methodist Church. Linda loved flowers and they will be enjoyed and appreciated. Memorial contributions may be made to Marvin United Methodist Church, 6740 NC Hwy 87 South, Fayetteville, N.C. 28306 or to a charity of one's choice.