Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 25, 2024

CHARLOTTE - Gwin Barnwell Dalton, a longtime resident of Charlotte, died on February 25, 2024, six months before her 100th birthday.

Mrs. Dalton was born on October 28, 1924, in Greenwood, Mississippi, the only child of Mildred Gwin and Stephen Barnwell. The family eventually moved to Gastonia NC where she spent her childhood. As a teenager, she became a boarding student at National Cathedral School in Washington DC. Upon graduation, she attended Duke University where she earned a degree in chemistry in three years. In 1946, she was named Maid of Cotton, traveling the country as a goodwill and fashion ambassador for the cotton industry, participating in fashion shows, visiting wounded World War II veterans, and meeting dignitaries such as US Army General Omar Bradley, US Navy admiral Chester Nimitz, and numerous governors and mayors across the country.

On November 16, 1946, Gwin Barnwell married Robert I Dalton Jr at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York. They had met at the Junior- Senior prom at National Cathedral School in Washington DC. They moved to Charlotte where husband, Bob, grew up. Gwin was taken by Bob’s boundless energy and spirit. Bob said he knew she was the one the first time he held her in his arms and saw the laughter in her eyes. Gwin called their marriage her greatest adventure.

Both Gwin and Bob made important contributions to the growth and development of the city in the course of their lives. In her early years there, Mrs. Dalton helped host a weekly show on WBTV. Later, through the Junior League of Charlotte, she worked to bring public TV to Charlotte. Gwin was active in the Little Theater of Charlotte, playing the lead in plays, such as, “Strange Bedfellows” and “The Reluctant Debutante”, and appeared in several Junior League Follies reviews. Gwin volunteered at the Mint Museum and served as president of both the Delhom Service League and the Mint Museum Auxiliary. She also belonged to the Charlotte Debutante Club and served as president of Friends of the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. With her husband, she was active at Myers Park United Methodist Church, serving as president of the Luther Snyder-Ruth Fisher Bible Class. Beyond Charlotte, she served on the Board of Overseers of the Duke Cancer Center in Durham and on the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. In recognition of her significant contribution to the arts in Charlotte, Mrs Dalton and her husband Bob were presented the prestigious Vanguard Award given by the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte.

Gwin and her husband Bob were adventurous and loved to travel. They traveled to 60 countries, including sailing trips to New England, the Caribbean, and the Grenadine Islands. They took each grandchild, one at a time, on wonderful adventures. They loved vacations at their home in North Litchfield Beach SC where they entertained friends and most importantly where they came together with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Gwin had an artistic sensibility that she applied to many disciplines: flower arranging, painting, jewelry-making, designing and making dresses, gardening, writing poetry, creating tablescapes, and singing. She never lost her love for science and would often listen to books on tape such as The Code Breakers and was eager for a good discussion afterwards.

Her most favorite spot was in her garden where she enjoyed her morning tea to the sounds of the birds, feeling the presence of God all around her. 

Gwin liked to say that the word “boring” was not in her vocabulary. Until the day she died on February 25, 2024, she embraced her family and faith, adored her husband, sustained deep friendships, served the community, saw the world, and had great fun at every turn. At age 80 she rediscovered her love of sculpting and at 90, she sang the Mississippi blues at the Tosco Music Show at the Knight theater. When she took her last breath on Sunday, she knew that she hadn't wasted a moment.

Mrs. Dalton is preceded in death by her husband, Robert I Dalton Jr. She is survived by two daughters Millie Cox and her husband Tom of Charlotte and Dede Caughman and her husband Jimmy of Washington DC; five grandchildren – Liza Cox of Charlotte, Miles Cox (Rebecca) of London, England, and Dr. Dalton Cox (Ashley) of Charlotte, Lauren Caughman Rohrer (Ivon III) of Charlotte and Betsy Caughman Blinn (Greg) of Charlotte; ten great-grandchildren — James Dalton Blinn, Gwin Harper Blinn, Bode Baker Blinn, Thomas Wilder Cox, Catherine Wyatt Cox, Isla Gwin Conger Cox and Imogene Dalton Cox – all of Charlotte and by Sienna Gwin Charlotte Cox and Xanthe Rose Elizabeth Cox of London and Ella Grace Rohrer.  She is also survived by two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law – Rufus Dalton of Charlotte, Harry Dalton (Kathy) of Rock Hill SC, and Sally Robinson (Russell) of Charlotte.

A service to celebrate her life will be on March 1 at 2:00 PM at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Rd. Senior pastor Dr. James C Howell will lead the service. Visitation follows at the church. Memorial gifts may be sent to the church at 1501 Queens Rd. Charlotte NC 28207; Duke Cancer Institute at 710 W Main St, Suite 200, Durham NC 27701; or the Mint Museum at 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte NC 28202.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.