Nettie Grace "Gracie" Dials

 

Forever surrounded by scores of family members — in life, as well as in her final weeks — Nettie Grace “Gracie” Dials, 82, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at her beloved home in Indian Valley, nestled within the picturesque hills of Floyd County, Va. Gracie demonstrated her trademark unwavering faith and strength — which she knew came from her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, who she served since the age of 16 — in her final weeks on this earth. A much-deserved miracle in every sense of the word, Gracie bested the expectations of multiple doctors to beautifully capitalize on borrowed time to share love and fellowship with her massive family — time that she cherished and championed above all else throughout her entire life.

All can find comfort in the fact that Gracie achieved her ultimate goal on this earth: to create, nurture and care for a large, loving family. Much like in the decades (and decades) preceding her recent short illness, she was never without a full house or room filled with dozens of beloved family members, and that constant of her life held remarkably true right up until the end. It was, and is, a miracle in every conceivable way, magnificently marking the life of a matriarch who will be forever remembered, respected, celebrated and missed.

The child of Jeff and Maudie Burnett, Nettie Grace Burnett was born on March 27, 1943, in Cold Fork, Burgett Branch, Pike County, Kentucky. A strong, confident woman from day one, Nettie forged her own path, and, as a grand example of that strength and confidence, she did not allow the love of her life to at first think it was going to come easy to sweep her off her feet, even though she quickly knew that her heart had found its match.

Sherman Dials and Gracie met in Columbus, Ohio, while he was traveling for work. Both Sherman and Gracie described their introduction, subsequent courtship and marriage as “destiny” — they just “knew” that they were destined to be together. They were married on July 22, 1961, and became the proud parents to six children — four sons (Jeff, Donnie, Johnnie and Tommy) and two daughters (Lisa and Trisha Ann) — eventually settling in the Appalachian Mountains of Floyd, Va. Their love story — a miracle of big family, deep faith, enriching life and good living — extended 56 years on this earth until Sherman, the absolute love of her life, passed away on April 25, 2018. It is with him whom she is now reunited with in Heaven — an eternal gift from God that comforted and shepherded her through the deep pain of his passing, as well as her subsequent health challenges. Their love never died, however, with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren now carrying on and embodying the deep, sincere, powerful and immortal love that those two soulmates shared. Sherman and Gracie’s love endures as a timeless example of how to properly live and love for the next generations, as well as an extraordinary archetype for what it’s like for two people to be destined for one another. It was a miracle to witness, a miracle to behold, and it will never be forgotten.

Gracie has left to cherish her memory her sisters, Gladys Dials and James and Kay Burnette; brothers, Jim Burnette and Sally Joe and Gene Burnette and Angeline; her children, Jeffery and Cathy Dials, Donnie and Nancy Dials, Johnnie and Marcie Dials, Tommy and Alicia Dials, Lisa and Freddie Gerald, and Trisha Ann and Sam Calhoun; fur babies, Lou Dials and Luke Dials; grandchildren, Milinda Grace McDiarmid and Jozef, Janice Dials, Logan Dials, Shane Dials and Susan, Tucker Dials, Megan Dials and Joe, Haley Brooks, Jon Lucas Dials, Derek Dials and Jessie, Bradley Dials and Emily, Kendall Dials, Jasmine Dials, Emma Hicks and Josiah, Lauren Paige Moles and Austin, and Mackenzie Gerald; grand-cats, Lucy Calhoun and Boone Calhoun; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and extended family.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Indian Valley Church of God, 2297 Macks Mountain Road NW, Indian Valley with Rev. Kenneth Poston officiating. Interment will follow in Topeco Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to the love of her life, Sherman. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until Noon prior to the service at the church.