Floria Mae Corley-Dial

September 3, 1924 - May 27, 2020

Floria Mae was born to thrive and did so for 95 full years. On September 3, 1924, Silas and Floria Lou Corley welcomed her to the world in Swansea, SC, a small town in Orangeburg county. Floria’s childhood was dotted with walking miles to school, but in her later years she enjoyed traveling by car, bus, plane, or boat with her family. In 1941 Floria attended Allen University in Columbia, SC to study Business. During her time at Allen, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha and served as her chapters historian and scribe. She went on to attend New York University for her graduate program. Ruben Dial met this educated woman of God and the pair married shortly after they finished university. Floria gave birth to five children, Kenneth, Vincent, Quinton, Valerie and Rubenetta. If a mother’s successes were defined by that of her children, she was very successful. A selfless mother and grandmother, she helped raise several of her grandchildren after retiring from several leadership roles in her community. She led by example, teaching them how to treat people with respect and kindness, unconditionally. Floria always either had her hands full of food for her family or disposable cameras. She loved to entertain and cook for family and friends. Floria also loved to travel and only had Hawaii left to check off her list of seeing all 50 states. She even enjoyed travels overseas to the Vatican and Jerusalem in her 70s. Her travels and various memories throughout the years were thankfully documented in photographs. Floria was likely behind the camera, but if she were photographed it is likely with an open mouth smile. She was a joy to be around until the very end. Workers at her senior care center loved to help Floria because you never knew what Ms. Dial was going to say, but it was sure to make you smile. After ninety-plus full years, she passed away peacefully at home on May 27th, 2020 in the company of her family including her eleven month old great-granddaughter. Floria had a full, meaningful life and the family celebrates the woman she was to each of them. She was proceeded in death by her parents Mr. Silas and Floria Lou Harrison Corley, her husband Mr. Ruben Dial Jr, two children Quinton Dial, and Valerie Dial Thomas. She is also proceeded in death by her siblings Ms. Essie Lou Corley Brown, Mr. Nathaniel Corley, Mr. James Woodrow Corley, Ms. Edith Mae Corley, Ms. Rosabell Corley, Ms. Lula Corley, and Ms. Earthadell Corley Baber. She graciously leaves behind the legacy of her children: Rubenetta, Vincent (Mary), and Kenneth (Traci), her grandchildren: Jabari, Erin, Khristen (Ray), Soma, Dahn, and Micahla, and great-grandchildren: Julian, Isaiah, Elijah, So'Mya, and Makenna. She also held a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins very dear to her heart. The family invites anyone with memories of Floria Mae Corley Dial to attend her celebration of life service on Wednesday, June 3rd, at 10:00 AM at St. Patricks Cemetery - 1200 Mason Rd Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, 29203.