September 16, 1944 – July 22, 2024

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.”

Proverbs 31:31

 Strong.  Fearless. Generous. Adventurous. Magnetic.

These are just a few of the words that describe Jacquelyn Denton Alton.  Jackye, as she was affectionately known, was born on September 16, 1944, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to her loving parents, Herbert Howard Denton, Sr. and Lucille (Battle) Denton.  She was the second child and only girl in a household with three brothers.  Her early childhood experiences growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas would later shape and deeply influence her fearless and tenacious spirit.  Jackye was raised in a devoutly Christian home to parents who cherished education, family and community service. 

Upon graduation from Horace Mann High School in 1962, Jackye attended Fisk University, the historically black liberal arts college in Nashville, Tennessee, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in History in 1966.  Her scholarship and leadership were evident at Fisk as she served as president of the Women’s Senate and became a member of the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. 

It was at Fisk, during her freshman year, that she caught the eye of a handsome young beau who would become her lifelong love and partner, Washington Irvin Alton, III.  To this union, two cherished children were born:  Kimberley Nicole and Washington Reynard (Rey).

Wash and Jackye moved to Washington, D.C. where Wash earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery  degree from Howard University in 1970.  An obvious proponent of scholastic achievement, Jackye began her professional career by focusing her talents on elementary education in the D.C public schools system.  In furtherance of her career goals at that time, she earned a Master’s degree in Education from Howard. 

In 1972, Jackye and Wash relocated to Houston where she continued her career as an instructor in the Department of Education at Texas Southern University.  In 1977, Jackye, in partnership with her husband, took a bold entrepreneurial leap and launched Almeda Travel, Inc.  Today, Almeda Travel enjoys the esteemed designation as the largest African American owned travel agency in the United States. 

With nearly 50 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Jackye’s professional affiliations are numerous.  In 1981, she was appointed by Congressman Mickey Leland to the U.S. House of Representatives Travel and Tourism Caucus.  In addition, she was a board member and immediate past president of the Society of Government Travel Professionals, which recognized her as its “Person of the Year” in 2005.  Jackye served as president of the InterAmerican Travel Agents Society and was a member of the board of directors for the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Institute for the Association of Travel Agents; and the Texas Travel Alliance.

Since perseverance and success rarely go without recognition, the accolades this business owner received rivaled her affiliations, some of which include the UNCF Community Sponsor Support Award; Top Ladies of Distinction Travel Agency Award; Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus Service Award; and the Inter-American Travel Agents President’s Award.  Her travel and tourism industry triumphs were trumpeted by the Governor of Louisiana and the Louisiana House of Representatives, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association; the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. MAKEDA Award; National Women of Achievement, Inc. Profiles of Prominence Award; and a Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honoree.

Jackye was an active and faithful member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church for more than 40 years.  She was deeply committed to giving back to her alma mater by serving on the Board of Trustees at Fisk University.  She was honored to be a lifetime member of the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  She was a stronghold in the Houston community and enjoyed active participation in many civic organizations, including the Houston Chapter of The Links, Inc. (past president); the Houston Chapter of The Moles, Inc. (past president); The Drifters, Inc.; The Chums, Inc.; and the Houston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.  

Jackye truly lived life to the fullest, spending time with family and friends while traveling around the world.  She visited six continents and more than sixty countries – opening the doors to the world to thousands of clients and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Washington I. Alton, III; her parents, Herbert Howard Denton, Sr. and Lucille Denton; and her brothers, Herbert Howard Denton, Jr. and John Phillip Denton.

She leaves to cherish her memory, life and legacy, her devoted children, Kimberley Alton-Calhoun (John), Alexandria, VA; Rey Alton (Detra), Houston, TX; brother, Dr. Stanley E. Denton, Pittsburgh, PA; grandchildren Natalie Alton, John Alton Calhoun, and Ava Alton; Godson, C. Brian Williams, Washington, D.C.; and many other relatives and friends.