Mr. Dolphus Ray Dial 75, of Livingston (Free Communion Community) transitioned to eternal glory with his Heavenly Father at his residence on June 17th, 2026. Dolphus was well known for coaching basketball and caring for his nieces and nephews. He was the youngest of six children of Delphus and Nona Dial.

 Dolphus is survived by his wife Evalee (Smith) Dial of Livingston. He is also survived by siblings Bobbie Genell and her husband Teddy Dubree, (Nyako Lee and her husband William Gillentine, Delphus Randall and Juanita Nell Dial, and Edna Gail Gore. 

Also survived by nieces and nephews - Charles Noel Cole, Debbie Denise (Cole) and her husband Kerry Glyn Taylor, Danny Michael Perry, Amanda [Perry] McNeil, Scotty Ray Gillentine and his wife Tera Lynn Gillentine, Melinda Gail (Gillentine) and her husband Brian Stilz, Vicky Lee (Dial) and her husband James David Phillips, Delphus Randall (Rocky) Dial Jr. and his wife Kimberly Lynn Dial, Robert Wayne Sells and his wife Kimberly Ann Sells, and a host of great-nieces and great nephews. 

His career in education began at Independence Elementary School as a 7th grade teacher. After several years past he was appointed principal at Independence. When consolidation caused Independence to close, he was moved to Allons Elementary as principal. In 1996 he was appointed Director of Schools for Overton County. He retired as a teacher at Livingston Academy. Later he served several terms on the Board of Education, with the priority of always seeing that Overton County students receive the best education possible. 

In his early years, Dolphus enjoyed riding his Honda Motorcycle with his friend Larry Conatser. They rode all over the southeastern United States. 

After retirement, Dolphus went dancing almost every weekend, this is where he met his wife (Evalee). They were married July 22th, 2010.

 He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church, attending regularly until health issues prevented him from doing so. 

Special thanks to his niece Vicky and her husband David Phillips for all the help in taking care of Dolphus during his illness. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Delphus Lee and Opal (Morgan) Dial, а sister Ellen Joanne (Dial) and her husband Charles Kenneth Cole. 

Pallbearers - Jeff Hummel, John Mark Ramsey, Ronnie Reagan, Glen Reeder, Timmy Sells, and Joey Smith.

Honorary Pallbearers - All of his former basketball players.

Visitation will be held in the chapel of Hall Funeral Home on, Friday, June 19, 2026 at 5pm until 8pm. Funeral Services will be, Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 2pm, with Jeff Watters officiating. Burial to follow at Fellowship Cemetery in Allons, TN.