William Hodges Dial, son of a school teacher and farmer/storekeeper wasthe oldest of three boys. On occasion when his mother was ill or neededassistance he got kitchen duty which he greatly disliked.
After high school graduation he attended Livingston State TeachersCollege for awhile; served at least two summers (25-26) in CitizenMilitary Training at Ft. McClellan, Ala., as part of one of the lastmounted cavalry units trained and also won a markmanship award; driftedin the midwest working the wheat fields and as a ranch and stock farmhand from Texas to Chicage and back and forth to Alabama/Mississippi area.
He became an independent live stock trader in Kemper Co., Ms. andSumter Co., Ala. After his marriage his wife agreed he'd never have towash dishes again if she didn't have to milk the cow.
Mr. Dial was practical, sensible and very preceptive. A good soundbusiness man in his dealings with others. He was a good provider for hisfamily, usually with plenty of cash on hand, the use of which wascafefully considered and observed. He amassed a goodly amount of acerageon which he had a large Angus herd and catfish ponds. There was in himan ability to bounce back from adversity. After recuperation from one ofhis several serious accicents a friend of his adult children describedhim as "one tough ole bird".
As a pioneer Angus breeder and commercial catfish farmer, he tookagricultural and veterinarian courses at Alabama Polytechnic Institute(API) later called Auburn.
A member of Bethel Presbyterian Church he served as deacon, elderand delegate to Presbytery for many years.
A member of the American Aberdeen Angus Assn. (A.A.A.A.) over fiftyyears. His animals won many grand championships in district and statelivestock shows in the early 1940 and mid 1950's including the 1945Alabama Grand champion cow and the 1946 A.A.A.A. Grand Champion male andGrand Champion female. Mr. Dial supported the 4-H Clubs, Sumter Co.Extension Service and Soil conservation projects. Served on ConservationService Board of directors and Farm Bureau Board of directors.--Recievedthe "Outstanding Contribution to Alabama Agriculture" award and AlabamaFarm Bureau Lifetime Achievement award for 50 years of active membershipand support of the organization.
Hodges Dial loved the land and had respect for his ancestors andthose who had gone before--Overseeing his land and working with hisanimals was his life and pleasure.
Clara Belle Buchanan, daughter of a dairy owner was the third child of afamily of three boys and three girls. A dreamer and tomboy she wascalled "Son" by her dad and older brother. Generous and gregarious bynature she was involved in many community activities and socialfunctions; A club woman. An actress by advocation a teacher byprofession. Miss Buchanan graduated from Mississippi State College forWomen in Columbus with degrees in biology and theatre; later takingclasses at University of Alabama. She was a member of Beta Beta Betahonorary and president of Theatre Guild.
She taught in Enterprise and Meridian Mississippi. Upon marriage she andher husband agreed she'd never milk cows again.
Clara Belle was a member and teacher of the Adult Sunday Schoolclass at Bethel Presbyterisn Church in Sumterville, Alabama for 25 years.In the Women of the Church she held Offices of V.P., Secty,
Historian, and Chairman of Dist. 2 of Tuscaloosa Presbytery Womans Groupat different times. She also served in other civic leadership. Thesewere: American Association of University Women, DAR (Bigbee
Valley Chapter), DAR Regent, Founder of AS You Like It Federated Womens'Club. She also acted in and directed many community play productions. Sheis listed in Distinguished Alabama Women, Served local and Sumter Co.Extension Homemakers Club as President and other offices. Was member ofCounty and State of Alabama Homemakers Board of Directors. Delegate toNational Homemakers Council for Alabama three times. She served on SumterCounty Board of Directors for The Farm Bureau and was a delegate to theNational Convention on three seperate ocassions. She served as Delegateto the Country Women of the World Conference two times. She was named1962 Sumter Co. Outstanding Club Woman of the Year. Extension ServiceLeadership Award in 1968. Outstanding Contribution to Alabama AgricultureAward in 1971. She also received a 50 years of Outstanding Service Awardfrom the Alabama Farm Bureau
She taught again in the late 1970s in Sumter Co., Alabama PublicSchools. She enjoyed reading, fishing, traveling, and making fancycakes. She and a friend catered parties and weddings for about 15 years.Clara Belle was also an avid Bridge player.