Elizabeth Kaye Fletcher Dalton

Born January 26, 1947, in Coushatta, Louisiana, died September 24, 2024, at her home in Campti, Louisiana surrounded by her loved ones after a long battle with cancer. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 5-7pm with Rosary at 6pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, at 11am at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 119 Tally Street, Campti, with interment in the church cemetery to follow. 

Pallbearers are Jeff Custis, Kain Custis, Zach Bridges, Casey Ebert, Jason Dickson, Mitchell Young, Damon Young, and Peyton Freeman. Honorary pallbearers are Troy Custis, David Gallien, and Rebel Jackson.

Kaye is survived by her sons Troy Custis and wife Jessica, and Jeffery Custis and wife Kristen; stepdaughters Shane Jackson (Vance), Vonne Walton (Rick), Shanis Young (Sammy), Sharell Eason (Ronnie) and their respective families (including 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren); granddaughter Lauren Custis (Drake), and grandsons Kain (Lexi) Custis, Jaxon Custis, and Brandon Welborn, all of whom were the light of her life. She is also survived by sisters Millicent Bridges and Carol Payzant, brother Richard Fletcher, along with nephew Ricky Bridges, and great nephews and godson Zachary Bridges, Micah Bridges, Hahn Bridges and Chey Bridges. She is predeceased by her husband of 29 years, Len Dalton; stepdaughter Lenette Tidwell; parents Milton and Hazel Fletcher; brothers-in-law Kenneth Bridges and Bill Payzant; nephew Todd Bridges and great-nephew and godson Cody Bridges.

Kaye began grade school in Hall Summit and graduated from Longstreet High School in 1965. She recently said that living in Longstreet was one of her happiest childhood memories. She briefly attended Northwestern State College, then later worked at the Sunbeam plant in Coushatta before marrying her first husband, Tommy Custis, in 1968 and becoming a mom and homemaker. In the late 70s and early 80s, she worked as a school aide in Campti. While living in Campti, she met Len Dalton, and they were married on October 1, 1985. Kaye subsequently converted to Catholicism. In doing so, she found the great rock and anchor for the rest of her life.

For over 36 years, she served her church community at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Campti. Her loving heart, generosity of spirit and willingness to help others touched many people, whether teaching CCD, serving on the parish council, financial council, altar society or as a Trustee. The Alexandria Diocese recognized her servant leadership with its Distinguished Service Award in 2023. She will be deeply missed by her Nativity family. 

Kaye had a tremendous capacity for hard work, raising her sons as a single mom, then later helping Len build two businesses, as well as taking on any job that needed doing at her church home – painting, mowing, tree trimming – she was often the first to arrive and the last to leave. Even in ‘retirement’, Kaye worked part-time at Carrie’s Animal Health Supply in Clarence.

For her family, there was never a more devoted ‘Mama’ and ‘Meme’ – the comfort and happiness of her husband, sons, stepdaughters and grandchildren were always foremost in her heart. She had equal devotion to her friends and those in need. We will always remember the manifest ways in which she served as a conduit of God’s love – she leaves a tangible witness in our hearts forever. 

The family extends their deepest thanks to all those at Nativity who supported Kaye during her long illness, especially her devoted friends Peggy Smith and Monica Grappe. Likewise, grateful thanks to those who provided medical care, including Dr. Manish Dhawan, Dr. Kathleen Kautz, and dear family friend Roxanna Smith, CRNA, who helped in so many ways. The family also thanks Hospice of Natchitoches for their compassionate end of life care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Nativity Altar Society, c/o Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 119 Tally Street, Campti, LA 71411. 

 

Someday, when fades the golden sun Beneath the rosy-tinted west, My blessed Lord will say, “Well done!” And I shall enter into rest