Iris Dayton

 Iris Nichols Dayton, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, was called home to be with the Lord on April 3, 2025. She was 82 years old. A service celebrating her life will be held at Banister Funeral Home on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM, following a visitation from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for family and friends. 

 Iris was born on August 17, 1942, in Hayesville, North Carolina, to the late Huston and Reba Nichols. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bruce Dayton, her brother William “Bill” Nichols, and her precious granddaughter Jessica Duckworth.

 Iris was one of five children, and she is survived by her brothers Clarence and Gary Nichols, and her sister Janie Penland. She was a devoted mother to five children: Denise Hoyle, David Dayton, Danna Kay Carrol, Sara Nicholson, and Huston Dayton. Her legacy of love and family extended to her eleven grandchildren: Amanda Blair, Valerie Patenotte, Marsha Clayton, Joseph Barnes, Carol Payne, Emily Payne, Aaron Payne, Krista Adams, Cory Duckworth, Kelsey Washington, and Kayla Nicholson. Iris was also blessed with sixteen great-grandchildren, who will miss her dearly: Leah and Nolan Patenotte; Alayna and Julia Adams; Brooklyn, Brayden, and Brighten Hughes; Abby and Ethan Payne; Emily and Lisa Clayton; Noah and Landon Foster; Colton Mashburn; and Malerie Blair Barnes.

 Iris was a cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews, who were all very dear to her. The bonds she nurtured with them, and with the entire family, were made even stronger by the warmth and love she shared during Saturday lunches at her mother Reba’s home, where they all gathered together and stayed tight-knit as a family.

  A woman of incredible strength, Iris raised all five of her children on her own after the death of her husband, Bruce. She worked tirelessly to provide for them, instilling in them the values of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering love. Despite the challenges she faced, Iris always put her children first and gave them the foundation they needed to thrive.

 As a grandmother, Iris was a true matriarch, always surrounded by her loved ones. “Grandma Iris” had a remarkable way of making each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren feel like they were her one and only. She often said, “I love you all the same, but the one I love the most is the one I’m with.” Her heart was big enough to embrace everyone, and her legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. 

 In this time of loss, the family finds comfort knowing Iris is now resting in the arms of the Lord, reunited with her loved ones who went before her.

Visitation: Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 12:00-2:00pm at Banister-Cooper Funeral Home.

Funeral: Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 2:00pm at Banister-Cooper Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Burch officiating. Interment will follow at Lower Hightower cemetery.