Donna Newell Dial

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donna Newell Dial, age 73 of Livingston, Alabama. She was born in Meridian, Mississippi on July 13, 1951, and entered the gates of heaven on January 10, 2025.
Donna grew up in York, Alabama and was the baby girl to Rufus Newell and Dolly Harper. She had 2 sisters, Diane (Chris) and Brenda (Reid). On March 2, 1967, she married her high school sweetheart Jim Allen Dial, Jr. and celebrated 57 years with him. She had always told us about when they first got married all she could cook was a Chef Boyardee Pizza, and we all can see how that turned out! Donna's love and legacy of cooking she leaves behind will not be forgotten anytime soon. Cooking was her love language. She always wanted to serve you food and not just in small amounts. She opened her home and always had enough for everyone.
Donna was a generous and caring woman who loved the Lord and lived out her faith daily. She had 4 children, 1 son, Jimmy (Deanna), and 3 daughters, Tammy (Mike), Melissa (Bram), and Shannon (Bryan). She spent many years going back and forth to Sumter Academy following her kids around to sporting events, cheer camps, and many Halloween carnivals. Once her children married, the grandchildren began to arrive. Donna, better known as Nana, had seven grandchildren, J.J. (Morgan), Blake (Alex), Addison (Blayze), Michael Alan, Avery, Parker, Bella, and two great grandchildren, James and Briggs.
In 2005 Donna and Jim opened Diamond Jim's and Mrs. Donna's. The restaurant was where you could always find her serving up the best steak in the state and the famous caramel cake. Her legacy will live on through her family and the recipes she leaves behind. What a joy and honor it was to know, love and be loved by Donna Dial. Until we see you again...We love you.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 17, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. from Hadden Presbyterian Church with Rev. Matt Kelley and Rev. Wayne Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Boyd Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. from Christian Valley Baptist Church.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Jim Allen Dial, Jr.; son, Jimmy Malcolm Dial (Deanna); daughters, Tammy Dial Cole (Mike), Melissa Dial Fuller (Bram) and, Shannon Dial Rumley (Bryan); sisters, Diane Newell Ward (Chris) and Brenda Newell Lovell (Reid); grandchildren, J.J. Dial (Morgan), Blake Dial (Alex), Addison Fuller Franklin (Blayze), Michael Alan Cole, Avery Fuller, Parker Rumley, and Bella Rumley; great grandchildren, James Dial and Briggs Dial; and a host of other family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her father, Rufus Malcolm Newell (Barbara) and mother, Dolly Treadaway Harper (James).
Pallbearers include J.J. Dial, Blake Dial, Michael Alan Cole, Parker Rumley, Blayze Franklin, Christopher Dial, Lucas Dial, Tommy Plott, Michael Hutchins and Robert Lard.
Donations can be made in honor of Mrs. Donna to the Boyd Cemetery c/o Jennifer Dial at 6221 Sumter 24 Emelle, AL 35459 or to the University Charter School at P O Box 1053 Livingston, AL 35470.
Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register and post condolences to the family.
Arrangements entrusted to Bumpers Funeral Home of York.