Rachel Valeria Dyal Dyson, 82, of Blackshear and Waycross, passed away Wednesday night, May 27, 2026, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross, following a long, arduous journey home.
She loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and her testimony will live on, as demonstrated by the life that she lived before those who knew her. The following scripture speaks of her and the way she lived out her life.
Matthew 25:37-40:
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying Lord, when saw we thee and hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
She was born in Waycross to the late Daniel Clarence Dyal and Mary Sallie Hamilton Dyal. She was a graduate of Okefenokee Technical College with a Licensed Practical Nursing Degree. During her life she worked with Satilla Community Service as a Social Services Aid/Advocate for individuals with special needs. She had also been employed as a nonunion employee of King Edward Cigar Factory and assistant manager of Renee Fashions.
She had a genuine love for all children and served with a bus ministry, visiting children that were unchurched, teaching an evening PreK class at Grace Baptist Church; where she attended church with her daughter Angela (her Angel). She was also a teacher’s aide of the Grace Baptist Church School.
She was gifted with many talents and demonstrated them by sharing them with others. She was an accomplished seamstress, hair stylist, gourmet cook, gardener, designer, teacher, mentor and the caregiver to her daughter Angela. If any family or friends were asked, they would tell you that though her life was busy, she was never too busy to help, even when she had to lay her own needs aside to help. Her door was always open to come in for a visit, and her table was always ready to share a meal.
She loved her family, whether it was her parents, siblings or her nieces and nephews and being a part of such a large family, she enjoyed every opportunity to spend time together. Though she loved her extended family, her greatest love were her daughters, Daine and Angela; and her three grandsons, Michael Ellis, Atlanta, Cody Ellis, Blackshear and Tommy Lee and her great-grandchildren, Miles and Aiden Ellis. She always put the needs of her children and grandchildren first.
Having been the mother and caregiver to a special needs child, she dedicated her life to her daughter Angela and the service of Special Needs Children and their parents dear to her heart.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Stone and Rita Jean Dyal Herrin; a brother, Ronnie Dyal; her precious daughter Angela Dyson and an infant son, Michael Dyson.
Survivors include her daughter, Rachel Diane Ellis; three grandsons; five siblings, Catherine Chaney (Ed), Blackshear, Clarice Stolte (Jack), Manor, Faye Davis (Charles), Blackshear, Carroll Dyal (Donna), Sandstone, VA and Mary Strickland (Freddy), Blackshear; a sister-in-law, Lisa Dyal, Blackshear and a nation of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, from the chapel of Hart Funeral Home.
A private interment will take place in Greenlawn Cemetery in Waycross.
In lieu of flowers, she would like for those wishing to contribute to give to the Spina Bifida Association at https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
