Rev. Vincent M. Dial

The Rev. Vincent M. Dial, 68, of Johnson City, TN, was summoned by God to enter Eternity on the evening of Monday, May 23, at Johnson City Medical Center following a brief but heroic battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on Saturday, August 29, 1953, to Rueben Dial, Jr. and Floria Mae Corley Dial in Columbia, South Carolina. Vincent’s early years of education were spent at St. Martin de Prioress School and Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, from which he graduated in 1970. He continued his education at Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in 1974. Following his move to Johnson City, TN, he earned a Master of Science degree in Educational Supervision and Administration in 1985. He continued his post-graduate studies in Multicultural Studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a Master of Divinity degree at Emmanuel Christian Seminary in Milligan, TN. He began his 32-year teaching career in the Johnson City School system, where he remained until his retirement in 2007. During his tenure, he served as the band teacher at Constitution Hall and Science Hill High School, Liberty Bell Middle School and Vice-Principal at Science Hill High School, and Principal at North Side Elementary School. Following his retirement from Johnson City Schools, he joined the staff of Providence Christian Academy in Johnson City, where he used his love for music and established a percussion program where he taught students until his death. Vincent was very involved in numerous education, civic and religious organizations and has been described as “wearing many hats.” Some of those are serving as the President of the Jonson City Education Association and working within various committees with Tennessee Education Association and National Education Association. He served for a time as the Chaplain for Science Hill High School’s Football Team and was the current Chaplain for East Tennessee State University’s “Buccaneers” Football Team. He served on East Tennessee State University’s Institutional Review Board, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bethel District Baptist Missionary Educational Association, Washington County-Johnson City NAACP, Ministerial Alliance of Johnson City, and Jonesborough Area Ministerial Association (JAMA). The most important role in his life was his acceptance of God’s call to ministry “without reservation” in April of 1994 at Thankful Baptist Church in Johnson City, where he was a member. Among his acts of servitude while at Thankful included serving the congregation as a Deacon, Choir and Music Leader, Bible teacher to both adult and youth classes, and the development of a summer school studies program for community youth. He delivered his trial sermon on March 26, 1995, under the mentorship of the senior pastor, Rev. C. Danny Johnson. After receiving his license, he became the Associate Pastor and Director of Christian Education from May 1996 – to January 1999. He also served the congregation of Central Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN as the interim pastor from 1997 -to 1999. In August 1999, Rev. Dial was called to Bethel Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Jonesborough, TN as the interim pastor until November 1, 2000, when he was installed as the senior pastor, which he retained until his death. Under his leadership, Bethel Christian Church built a new building and expanded the growth of membership and mission of stewardship within the community. He believed that the “church” or “Ekklesia” of Christ begins in the heart of man, and only through humility, love, and an intentional willingness to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as His disciples will the world heal and regardless of denomination become the true church of God in Christ Jesus. In addition to his parents, Vincent was preceded in death by one brother, Quinten Dial; one sister, Valerie Dial Thomas; and “special daughter,” Magon Patton. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Mary Brown Dial; two daughters, Erin G. Dial, Knoxville, TN, and Khristen (Ray) Dial Boyette, Greeneville, NC; “special daughter,” Leah N. Hale, Johnson City; one son, Jabari Dial, Jefferson City, TN; one brother, Kenneth (Tracey) Dial; one sister, Rubenetta Dial, both of Columbia, SC; five grandchildren, Julian Murray, Elijah Dial, Isaiah Dial, MaKenna Boyette, and Matthias Boyette; one nephew, Soma Moses, Columbia, SC; two nieces, Dahn Moses, Radford, VA, and Micahla Thomas, Charlotte, NC; one great-niece, Somaya Moses, Columbia, SC; Godchildren, Zaria Williams, Chattanooga, TN; Jayden Patton, Johnson City, TN; and Jeremiah Hoit; and his beloved pet, Roscoe.

Rev. Vincent M. Dial

May 23, 2022