Darris Dalton

Darris R. Dalton, 74, of Jackson, formerly of Delta, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born Dec. 7, 1942, near Advance, Missouri, son of Leonard W. and Nelle Rhodes Dalton. He and Martha Ann Below, high-school sweethearts, married May 4, 1963, at First Baptist Church of Delta.

Darris started farming at an early age on the family farm. He and his wife were row-crop farmers and raised cattle for many years on Arbor Hill. In addition to farming, Darris began his career as a heavy-equipment operating engineer with Local 513 while building Interstate 55 in 1963, and was recognized for 50 years of service. Darris was a trustee for Local 513 Operating Engineers and retired as the heavy-equipment instructor at IUOE Mingo Job Corps.

Holding many job titles throughout his lifetime -- foreman, Sunday-school teacher, president of the school board and mayor -- Darris was also a Christian, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, neighbor and friend. He was an active steward of the land and knew, through hard work and relationships with people, how to make impactful changes in his communities. In his retirement, he continued to love the outdoor life and the adventure it brought him on the family "hill farm" near Delta.

Loving survivors include his wife of 54 years, Martha Ann; three children, Mark (Becky) Dalton of Festus, Missouri, David (Michelle) Dalton of Grenada, Mississippi, and Lesley (Andy) Triplitt of Woodstock, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Brent, Carl and Drew Rebecca Dalton of Grenada, Samantha and Elizabeth Dalton of Festus and Dalton A. and Ryder Triplitt of Woodstock; two sisters, Nelda (Jack, deceased) Crader and Suda (Bob, deceased) Crawford; two brothers, Max (LaDonna) Dalton and Wayne (Rosenell) Dalton; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sam (Tammy) Below, George (Debbie) Below and Mary Lou (Mike) Dobron, Anita Dalton and Mary Below; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two siblings, Glenda (Gene) Schuh and Bill Dalton; and a brother-in-law, Jim Below.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Kenny Martin and Randy Conn officiating. A private family burial will be held at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson. Pallbearers are Brent, Carl, Larry and Terry Dalton, Tommy D. Hodgkiss and Ryan Below.

Memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse or Southeast Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.