Richard Dale Medlin, 67, of Littleton, NC passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023. Dale was born December 3, 1955, in Rocky Mount, NC, the son of the late Dorothy Shearin Dalton and Ivey David Medlin.

He grew up in Hollister, NC and later resided in Littleton and then Halifax, NC.

Dale was the ultimate people person. He never knew a stranger and enjoyed talking with and getting to know everyone he met. 

His jobs throughout his lifetime involved working with the public, so with his gentle spirit and people personality he thrived throughout his career. 

It’s this trait about him that also made him the perfect Santa Claus for parades in Littleton and at church events.

He was an innate caregiver. He lovingly helped care for his mother as her health failed in her last years, and was a dedicated and devoted husband, caring for his wife Diane as she endured health issues. 

If someone was in a wheelchair or on crutches, or just struggled a bit with movement, he was the first to step in to assist. And when his nieces and nephews were young and visiting Lake Gaston, he and Diane would immediately offer to keep them overnight and spoil them all weekend.

Dale truly had a servant’s heart and would drop what he was doing if anyone ever needed anything. 

He checked in on elderly friends and neighbors, made weekly trips to food banks to pick up food and necessities to deliver to people in need in the community, ran errands for anyone that needed help, cooked and delivered homemade meals; the list is endless.

The passion that kept him busy until all hours of the night in his workshop crafting. 

Dale was a talented woodworking artist, metal crafter, and painter and loved setting up booths with his finished products at street fairs, festivals and flea markets. 

Many of his loyal customers also commissioned him for special projects. He always made sure to check in with his customers to make sure they were happy with what he created for them. His family joked that he probably spent more money than he made because he priced his masterpieces so low, but the joy of seeing how much people loved and got excited about their twirly birds, rocking horses, doll houses, etc was the biggest reward for him.

Dale was an active member of Weavers Chapel Church. Upon joining the church, he was recruited to be the greeter/usher/acolyte/acolyte trainer and served in that role as long as his health permitted. 

He could be found cooking breakfast on Sunday mornings for members, and missing a Sunday service was out of the question. He enjoyed being in the choir and supported his Weavers family at every opportunity.

Typical of Dale and his giving spirit, he was an organ donor and his gift of donations will help possibly hundreds of others.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his beloved wife of 42 years Diane Schaaf Medlin.

Surviving are his brothers David Wayne Medlin of York, SC; Forest E. Dalton II of Nokesville, VA; and Tim Dalton (Amy) of Durham, NC; his sister-in-law Regina Schaaf Dickens of Littleton, NC; and his beloved nieces and nephews: Maurianna, Tre, Cole, Ashlie, and Cassie Dalton; Drew and Laney Dalton; and the late Wendy Medlin Rooks; great niece Ashton Rooks and great nephew Stellan Tellatore-Dalton.

A Memorial Service will be held at Weavers Chapel Church on Saturday, September 30th at 12:00. 

The family will receive visitors beginning at 11:00 am prior to the service in the church reception hall. We invite you to come with a joyful heart and fond memories of Dale to share.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Weavers Chapel Church, PO Box 367, Littleton, NC 27850, or to a food bank of your choice.   

Friends may sign the online register by visitingwww.hockadayfs.com