Cotton Hylton

Dewey Ward “Cotton” Hylton of 400 Johnson Creek Road, devoted Dad, PaPa, Great Pa and friend, passed away at his home Friday, April 16, 2010.

He was born November 22, 1917 in Floyd County and was the son of the late Essie Chloe Weeks Hylton and Harry Hylton.

He was united in marriage November 24, 1940 to Eleanor Eggleston, who preceded him in death November 1, 1977.

Survivors include a daughter, Peg Walton, with whom he made his home; a son, Darius and his wife, Carolyn of Covington; Charles Hylton of Covington, who all live close to the family’s homeplace; Ruth Johnson and husband Scott, Linda Snead and husband, Steve, all of Salem; Betty Atkins and husband, Barry of Clifton Forge; and daughter-in-law, Judy Hylton of Clemons, N.C.

Survivors also include Doris Nicely of Clifton Forge, a very close and devoted friend with whom he made a lot of happy memories; grandchildren Keith Atkins (Julie) of Clifton Forge, Dewey Edward Hylton (Cindy) of Lexington, N.C., Mary Beth Harker (Kevin) of Wilmington, N.C., Jason Hylton (Andrea) of Wake Forest, N.C., Kelly Woody (Aaron) of Grensboro, N.C., Ellie Snead and Patrick Snead (Janie) of Salem; Steph Woodson (Rob), Melanie (Bryan) Thacker of Buchanan, Amy (Michael) Smith of McGaheysville.

Cotton also considered his late sister and brother-in-law’s (Sylvia and J.W. Vest) children his children. These include Nancy Salyers and husband, Anthony, David Vest and wife, Mary Sue, all of Covington, Melanie Dovel and Hunter of Chester; and sisters-in-law Barbara Eggleston Jacobs (Gerald) and Marjorie Eggleston.

Great-grandchildren include Jessica Atkins, Haley and Reagan Hylton, Kyla and Kloe Woody, Allison and Matthew Hylton, Aubrey Snead, Jaidyn Harker, Jacob Catlett, Anna and Jonathan Preston.

He was preceded in death by his son, Dewey Hylton Jr. May 30, 2009; daughter-in-law Lynn Hylton March 25, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Wier and Catherine Woods Hylton; a sister, Virginia Hylton Borland and nephew, John Vest.

Cotton was employed at the Rayon Plant as a mechanic and then Hercules, retiring in May 1981. Cotton’s second occupation included his “old Ford” tractor which he used to plow many gardens and clean many snowy driveways for neighbors.

The tractor served to bring in some extra income for his growing family and also helped give him some “quiet time” from us.

He belonged to the Trinity Baptist Church, Covington. He enjoyed many years of square dancing, loved to hunt and fish and also enjoyed water skiing and playing cards.

The family requests no flowers. Remembrances can be made to Mountain Regional Hospice, 537 Main Street, Clifton Forge, Va., Dunlap Fire and Rescue Squad, 4115 Midland Trail, Covington. If neither of them is possible, please do a kind deed for someone in need in memory of our sweet Dad.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be conducted at Alleghany Memorial Park Sunday at 3 p.m. The family and friends will gather at Fletcher’s Chapel Fellowship Hall in Callaghan after the service.

The Rev. Faith Weedling will officiate the graveside service.

The online guest book is available at arrittfuneralhome.com.