Carolyn J. Dalton "Ganna"

Carolyn J. Dalton “Ganna” Clemson, South Carolina Carolyn J. Dalton, affectionately known as “Ganna”, aged 84, was welcomed home by her Lord and Savior on November 2, 2025. Born on March 12, 1941, in Pickens, SC to Guy and Ora Jones. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Allison Dalton, her two children Brett (Lisa) and CeCe Bucy (Brad), and her four “perfect” grandchildren Mattie Dalton, Stewart Dalton, Dalton Bucy, and Cal Bucy. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister Margaret Rholetter. She was a member of the Clemson First Baptist Church and strove to live her Christian faith through love and service to her family and friends. She reserved her best love and service for her grandchildren. She spent many hours and years teaching her children and grandchildren about the love of Christ, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and salvation. She was a graduate of Pickens High School and attended Erskine College. She had many interesting, successful, and rewarding careers including home childcare, kindergarten aid, real estate, victim and witness advocate, and as an agent in the travel industry. She was a lifelong adventurer and was ready to tackle any new travel or adventurous opportunity. She loved traveling anywhere but was especially fond of the Western United States and international travel. While she loved company on her travels, she was happy to embark alone if necessary, making new friends within minutes. Some of her adventures include travels to China, Japan, Europe, rafting the Colorado River, hiking the Grand Canyon “rim to rim”, and countless other excursions near and far. She was eager to meet new people and to make new friends. She loved children, the elderly, and had a special place in her heart for the many members of the international community – making many friends from the student population at Clemson. She instilled her love of adventure, nature, learning, travel, different cultures, and all of God’s creation in her children and her grandchildren. She loved and nurtured plants and flowers her entire life. She loved bright colors, big hats, high heels, turquoise jewelry, pretty rings, and finding bargains. She believed that it was impossible to have too many bangles on her arms at one time. Hearing her bangles as she was walking brought a special smile to her family members’ faces. Her life and impact cannot be summarized easily or in a single quality, but the many relationships she forged and maintained provide a glimpse into her remarkable nature and personality. Reflecting the breadth of her influence, her grandchildren have elected to each remember her by describing a quality that was uniquely hers: Devoted: Ganna was always devoted to whatever she was doing for us and made sure that us as her grandchildren were a top priority. Whether frequently checking in on us when we had not seen her in a while or teaching us about scripture and the word of God. Ganna was an incredibly devoted grandmother. Whether it was making sure we had enough to eat, or making sure we were well with God, she always was devoted to ensuring that we grandchildren were the best versions of ourselves. Curious: The rays of Ganna’s curiosity shone in her every action, conversation, and relationship. Never meeting a soul she did not know, Ganna was especially curious in learning about and experiencing cultures dissimilar to hers, offering only tolerance and respect even when such cultures disagreed with her own beliefs. Ganna’s curiosity met no geographical bounds – even when she had no travel mate – instilling a love of travel, National Parks, and the American Southwest in all her children and grandchildren. Selflessly curious, her greatest joy was found in the lives of others, living through the activities and adventures of her loved ones. If a singular lesson is to be gleaned from Ganna’s life, it is to go forth and do: to remain curious in every place and circumstance. Spirited: Ganna was a spirited lady. She taught us to always be ourselves and to always pursue our interests, just like she did. Ganna had true individuality that made her unforgettable to everyone she met, which was a lot of people because she was so outgoing. She was never afraid to express her opinion or ask questions. She was full of energy, ready to take a day trip or a cross-country trip at any moment. Some of us are lucky enough to have been her companion on these trips, for which Ganna always packed enough snacks. Perhaps the impact of Ganna’s spirited ways is best seen through how she showed her only daughter and granddaughter how to be truly independent with her thoughts, interests, and personal style. Truly incomparable, she left an indelible mark on everyone she touched; her absence will be profoundly felt. However, joy can be found in the examples that she set for others, and the idea that the qualities and traits most meaningful to her loved ones will be carried on in her memory, and that she is home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of Clemson First Baptist Church with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clemson First Baptist Church, Samaritan’s Purse or to Pickens County Meals on Wheels. Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Dalton family.

Carolyn J. Dalton "Ganna"

March 12, 1941 - November 2, 2025