Mary Gail Dial, age 71, was born on December 21, 1945 in Piggott, AR to Verian Paul and Mary Afton Ellis.  She died Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO.  Visitation will be Friday, February 10, 2017 5:00-8:00 P.M. at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville, MO.  Services will be held Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11:00 A.M.  at the First United Methodist Church in Portageville, MO.  Gail is preceded in death by her parents, Verian Paul and Mary Afton Ellis, her brother John Richard Ellis.  She is survived by her husband Harold Dial, her son Paul (Melissa) Dial of Tonganoxie, KS, her daughter Christy (Steve) Dial-Clayton of Jackson, MS, her four grandchildren Noah Dial, Mary Kate Dial, Walker Clayton, and Menley Clayton.

As a child, Gail's family moved to Portageville, MO. While picking cotton she caught the eye of her high school sweetheart.  They were married the day of the "Great Bootheel Blizzard," December 22, 1965.  They moved to North Carolina while Harold was in the Marines. After Harold was discharged, they moved to Cape Girardeau, MO, where they had their first child, Christy. In 1972, they moved back home to Portageville where they had their second child Paul.

Gail loved her town and was very active in the church choir, woman's ministry, local PEO chapter, and various school support activities. She was known for her loving, selfless, and giving spirit. She was compassionate, determined, strong-willed, and tenacious. Forever the optimist, she always saw the best in people and every situation.  Her glass was always "half full".  She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, always putting others before herself; she cherished all her family and friends.  She lived a life of genuine love and gratitude.  She demonstrated God's love and grace towards everyone that she encountered.  Always quick with a smile and a kind word she demonstrated true joy.  Her laugh lit up the room.  Gail truly inspired and encouraged all of us to remember what was really important in life; to trust God's plan regardless of what adversity comes.  She encouraged us to be the best versions of ourselves.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chapter GU PEO Scholarship Fund in memory of Gail Dial or the First United Methodist Church Portageville, MO.

VISITATION:

Friday; Feb. 10, 2017

DeLisle Funeral Home,               5:00-8:00 P.M.

In Lieu of flowers;

Chapter GU PEO local Scholarship fund (Gail Dial)  400 MacArthur Ave Portageville MO 63873

or  First United Methodist Church

SERVICES :

Sat. Feb. 11, 2017         First United Methodist Church- Rev. Barron Willer

11:00 A.M.

Portageville Cemetery

Please send condolences to the family on-line delislefuneralhome.net