Edna Earle Collins Dalton, age 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She will be remembered as a kind and loving woman, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a friend to all who knew her.

Born on October 12, 1947 in New Bern, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Elbert Earl Collins and Edna Wheeler Collins. She later made her home in Roanoke Rapids in 1978, where she built a life rooted in family, faith, and community. She was the owner/operator of Heavenly Ham alongside her husband and sons from 1995 to 2008. She dedicated more than two decades of her professional life to the banking industry, retiring in 2016 from New Republic Savings Bank. Her strong work ethic, integrity, and warm spirit left a lasting impression on colleagues and customers alike.

Above all else, she cherished her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roger William Dalton, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and devotion.

She is survived by her sons, Roger Stanley Dalton and his wife, Kathy, of Clayton, and Jeffrey William Dalton and his wife, Alexandra, of Willow Spring; her granddaughters, Savannah Grace Dalton and her fiancé, Weston Butcher, of Garner, Kelly Harrelson and her husband, Stoney, of Jacksonville, Jamie Jewell and Jabari Bryant of Leland, and Stacie Ferrell and her husband, Justin, of Jacksonville. She is also survived by her sister, Sue Collins Hardison and her husband, David of New Bern; her niece, Jennifer PaigeHardison of New Bern; and her brother, Ronald Elbert Collins and his wife, Sue, of Goldsboro.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 30, at Rosemary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM, prior to the service. The Rev. Dr. Layne Wallace will officiate.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Transitions LifeCare, especially her nurse, Gloria and hospice aide, Sonya, for their compassion and support during this difficult time. Special thanks are also extended to Belva Garner, her devoted caregiver, who was a dedicated and loving part of her care team over the past seven months.

Her gentle spirit, generous heart, and unwavering love for her family will be deeply missed and forever remembered.