Alice Bonds Dial

Alice Bonds Dial died peacefully in the early morning of March 1, 2021 after a short illness. A resident of Forest Plaza in Hixson for over 50 years, she had been living at Lifecare Center of Hixson since 2019. She was the widow of Riley W. Dial, her beloved for 70 years. Alice was born on November 16, 1928 in Orville, Alabama. She spent her youth in Greensboro, Alabama and graduated from Greensboro High School in 1947. Her future husband was her high school sweetheart. The daughter of the late Ozema and Hoyt Bonds, she is preceded in death by her siblings Hillard, Horace, Richard, James, Pete, Jack and Rebecca Bonds. Before her marriage, Alice completed business college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She and Riley moved to Chattanooga in 1948, when he accepted a job at DuPont. She held positions at Lovemans Department Store, the Chattanooga Credit Bureau and Interstate Life Insurance Co. before deciding to work from home as a full-time mother in 1958. The Dials joined Rivermont Presbyterian Church in 1960. Where for decades she counted congregants among her dearest friends. She was a happy “behind the scenes” church worker, helping in the Sunday nursery, with church suppers and communion preparation. For years she offered her considerable decorating and wreath-making skills to the preparation of the sanctuary at Christmas. Alice loved her neighbors in Forest Plaza and was an active member of the Community Club there. An enthusiastic birdwatcher and excellent cook, she will be remembered by family and friends as a sweet, funny and self-deprecating person who loved children and could grow almost anything she planted in soil. She had a gift for connecting with and speaking to children and had many young fans. To call her a homemaker does not do justice to the care she took to build a happy, fun and welcoming home. Alice is survived by daughters, Kathy Gerskin, Ooltewah, TN and Diane (Cliff) LeFevers, Alpharetta, GA; son Rodrick Dial (Adam), Chappaqua, NY; grandchildren, Danielle, Ruth and Alex; sisters-in-law, Catherine Christie, Wilmington, NC; Ethel (Gilbert) Sellers, Ramer, AL, Nan (Milton) Hanburry, Jacksonville, FL; brother-in-law, Tommy (Janice) Dial, Cartersville, GA, Mary Lou Dial, Cartersville, GA; Eloise Bonds, Greensboro, AL Cartersville, GA along with many treasured cousins, nieces and nephews. A private service will be held at the church. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Lifecare Center of Hixson and Hospice of Chattanooga for the compassionate and loving care they gave our mother. Most especially, we thank Meta Pope, her personal caregiver from Home Instead, for her love and friendship to both Alice and Riley. Memorial gifts may be made to the Congregational Care Committee of Rivermont Presbyterian Church, Hixson, TN or to Hospice of Chattanooga. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home – 601 Ashland Terrace Chattanooga, Tennessee 37415. (423) 877-3524 Lanefh.com