Albert Harrison Dalton, the tenth of eleven children, was born on February 26, 1939, in Walnut Cove, Stokes County, North Carolina to John William McKinley and Ethel Mae Hairston Dalton. On January 7, 2023, Albert was called home and peacefully departed this world- joining his parents, his stepmother: Martha Dalton, five sisters: Lula Price, Catherine Cole, Ida Hairston, Shirley Duckins, and Daisy Chandler; and his three brothers: Curtis Dalton, Roosevelt Dalton, Sr., and Frank Dalton, Sr.

Education was especially important in the Dalton household. Albert's father and older brother, Frank helped to advocate for a local school for Black youth in Stokes County. They traveled to Raleigh, NC to meet with the governor about the need for the school. The State finally relented, and London High School was built in Walnut Cove. After graduating from London HS, Albert had no desire to become a farmer- as his father wanted. He decided to relocate to Pittsburgh where his oldest sister, Lula and his older brother, Roosevelt lived.

After moving to Pittsburgh, Albert worked as a plasterer alongside his brother. He also worked at a youth group home with his niece Gloria and H. J. Heinz. One evening while enjoying a favorite hobby of bowling with his nephew Dennis, he was introduced through friends to Diane Nelson, who later became his wife. And from that union, two daughters: Danielle and Denita, were born.

After attending a Dalton family reunion in North Carolina, Albert made the decision to relocate his family from Pittsburgh to North Carolina. Family was cherished, and Albert would often visit his siblings in North Carolina on Sundays and holidays; and travel to visit other siblings during the summer. The Dalton Family Reunion was started in his parent's yard in 1933, and Albert eventually took an active role in planning and organizing the annual reunions- serving as president for several terms. He enjoyed frying fish for his family at the annual cookouts and loved seeing his family reconnect.

Albert was dedicated to hard work and serving others. Soon after returning to North Carolina, he began a career at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company as a forklift operator. He worked for more than 25 years at Whitaker Park and the Tobaccoville Plant. After retiring from Reynolds, he served numerous years as a handyman at Bethlehem Daycare Center. He drove the center's van- transporting the children on field trips and other outings, performed odd jobs, and assisted the staff. He also served as a parking attendant at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum and enjoyed greeting the sports enthusiasts and fairgoers. He took great pleasure in attending sporting events at Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State, the Frank Spencer Holiday Classic: a nationally recognized high school basketball tournament, and the Dixie Classic Fair.

Albert loved the Lord and instilled a strong Christian faith in his daughters. He, along with his family, faithfully attended Sunday School and church at Rising Star Baptist Church, where he was an active member of the choir. Albert later became a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. He was a member of the Men's Chorus and served on the Men's Committee. With a servant's heart, he also served in the church food pantry.

Having an entrepreneurial spirit, Albert took pride in his orders for roasted nuts and cashews- preparing and delivering them to church members and his community in small paper bags and selling them for $2. He was very handy with repairing and building- he built bookcases and cabinets and constructed and sold wooden reindeer as yard décor during the holidays.

Albert believed in the motto 'to work hard and to play hard.' As a young boy, Albert was a fun-loving child who was very protective of his baby sister, Betty Ruth. Growing up they owned two mules: Kate and Rhoadie, that the kids rode like horses. Albert had a kind heart and made sure his baby sister was safe around the mules. From an early age, Albert was a baseball fanatic. He played Little League Baseball with his older brother Frank, who was his coach. In fact, Frank was the first Black coach of the first integrated little league team, and these brothers enjoyed a lifetime together of playing, coaching, and watching baseball.

As a baseball enthusiast who had a natural talent for the game, Albert was a valued player with the Walnut Cove Tigers, a semi-pro baseball team, and with a minor league team in Winston-Salem, along with his nephew Curtis Gibson. He later coached teams at Bottoms Field in Walnut Cove and Ernie Shore Field in Winston-Salem. Albert also was a skilled bowler and loved the competitive spirit of the game. He was a member of the Camel City Bowling Club at Northside Lanes, and several other leagues. He enjoyed traveling throughout the country to bowling tournaments- receiving numerous awards and trophies for his fierce game. He also enjoyed rabbit and coon hunts and playing Scrabble with friends. Albert loved to joke and kid around with his nieces and nephews and his laugh was contagious.

Later in life, Albert married his best friend, JoAnn Agnew. They enjoyed life together in serving, attending church and community events, and traveling. Along with JoAnn, he volunteered with the National Black Theatre Festival, the Mahalia Jackson Savings Club, Meals on Wheels, and Prayer for Change Partners. He was also a member of Hoops, Inc. of WSSU and an avid member of Senior Services at Williams Adult Day Center and the Brown & Douglas Neighborhood Center.

Albert is survived by his beloved wife, JoAnn, two daughters and a son-in-law: Danielle Dalton Jones {Timothy} of Walkertown, NC, and Denita Dalton of Atlanta, GA; a bonus daughter: Dwanna Agnew of Winston-Salem, NC; four grandchildren: Kristen Jones, Sherika Jones, Joy Jones, and Joshua Jones; two bonus grandsons: Terrance Evans and Terron Agnew; and a great grandson: Mason Judkins. Also left to mourn are two of his 11 siblings: Alice McNeil {Herman} of Landover Hills, MD; Betty Ruth Jackson {Ronald} of Toledo, OH; brothers- and sisters-in- law: Ida Dalton of Stokesdale, NC; Delbert Duckins of Toledo, OH; Michael Ingram of Baltimore, MD; and Yvonne Wiley and Helen Mitchell {Everette} of Winston-Salem, N.C. Also, there are numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends who will cherish Albert's memory

A celebration of life will be held 12:00 noon Saturday January 14, 2023 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 11:00am-12:00 noon at the church. Interment will follow at Piedmont Memorial Gardens. A public viewing will be held Friday January 13, 2023 from 12pm-6pm at the funeral home.