The funeral service for Dana Keith Dise was Saturday afternoon at Swain Memorial Methodist Church.
A big crowd, many familiar faces, attended this gathering to honor the waterman, a native of Tangier.
By all accounts, Dise was a good man, a beloved husband, father and Christian.
Writing about Dise’s funeral service does two things – first, these words memorialize the life of a man known to many.
Second, by the community coming together to pay tribute, we affirm our own values of faith, family, and a life well-spent on the water.
Dise, 71, was born September 20, 1953, a son of the late Adrian Ewell Dise and Gladys Marie Bowden Dise. He was called home to the Lord on June 23, 2025.
Dise attended Tangier Combined School and was a lifelong Waterman and also owned a tire repair shop. In his teenage years, he worked for Ed Tyndall’s grocery store and Ray Crockett’s crab plant, according to his obituary. Very active in his community, Dise was a faithful member of Swain Memorial Church and served on the Tangier Town Council.
Jerry Frank Pruitt and Allen Parks shared stories about Dise’s life in their speeches to the congregation, pews filled with family and friends.
Pruit had known Dise since he was knee-high to a grasshopper, so he talked about their time spent on the water and about building boats – a trade that bonds men together as they work long hours crafting quality boats with pride. Eventually, Dise would have his own boat to work the waters of the Chesapeake.
To those folks who may have grown up elsewhere, being a good waterman is and was certainly something to aspire to, especially for men like Dise and others on Tangier who come from a long line of watermen.
During Parks’ speech, where he read a letter from Dise’s son Dustin, you could tell he was holding back the emotion, the grief. Dustin worked alongside his father – 4 a.m. calls between father and son, a bond that will echo an eternity.
Parks and Pruitt’s speeches talked about Dise’s wife of 53 years, Sharon. Husband and wife, they set a good example of a strong marriage – a virtue that builds the foundation of a loving family and a strong community.
Pastor Charles Parks’ sermon shared a lesson about Biblical numerology – a study of numbers that hold meaning. Parks spoke of many numbers, but the number “8” – means new life – resonated in his sermon like the ringing of a silver bell on a quiet morning.
- Dise was born in 1953 – broken down, that’s 5+3 = 8; new life.
- Dise was married for 53 years – that’s 5+3 = 8; new life.
- Dise lived 71 years — 7+1=8; a new beginning in heaven because, by all accounts, Dise was a faithful Christian who had long ago made his peace with the Lord. A faithful man is a good man, the cornerstone of any community.
A few more takeaways from the funeral service:
Donna Cannon sang, “I can only imagine” – excellent voice.
The song “Monsters” by James Blunt really hit home. Click the link – or if you are unable – here are a few lines:
I’m not your son, you’re not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you’re sleeping I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away
Carlene Shores read the poem “Life is Eternal” – and it is through Christ – before the congregation sang “Amazing Grace”.
Honorary pallbearers were Charles Biddlecomb, Mark Crockett, Spencer Headley, Larry Jennings, Smithy Marshall, Andy Parks, Wayne Parks and Weldon Pruitt.
Dise is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sharon Parks Dise; children, Christa Dise Dameron and husband Jason of Mila, VA and Dustin Dise and wife Kristen of Hardyville, VA; grandchildren, Julia Dise, Claire Dise, and Riley Dameron; brother, George Cannon of Tangier; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Along with his parents, Dise was preceded in death by his siblings, JoAnne Cooper, Karen Parks, and Larry Dise.
Rest in Peace, Dana Keith Dise
Tangier Island, Virginia 