Jerlene Dias

Jerlene (Scott) Dias, 76, of Frankfort, passed away on March 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a lengthy battle with heart issues. Born on July 6, 1949, to Oscar and Mabel (Cottrell) Scott in Rose Hill, Virginia, she moved to Frankfort as a teenager yet always carried the Virginia mountains and wildflower prairies in her heart. She attended Rose Hill schools, where she often recalled crossing a swinging bridge with her siblings to reach school, and later attended Frankfort schools. Jerlene worked at Jewel Siemons and Mallory Controls before starting her own home cleaning business in 1992, which she operated for 15 years.

She married Don Whiteman in June 1965; though they later divorced, they remained lifelong friends. In 1980 she met Roberto Dias, and they married in 1990. He preceded her in death in October 2024. Jerlene is survived by her children, Tina (Brad) Emery, Shannon Whiteman, Lisa (Tony) Martin, Crystal Villanueva, all of Frankfort, and Michelle Glazer of Greenfield; her brother, Melvin Scott; sisters, Linda (Max) Parke and Vinnie Hinkle; grandchildren, Jerry and Alicia Montalvo, Lance (Joanna) Lemen, Keshia (Thomas) Goode, Tanner and Taya Martin, Cameron and Madalyn Warf, and Chase Brooks; and great-grandchildren, Jace Montalvo, Cayden and Bailey Bowers, Braxton Whiteman, Madyson, Parker and Lyla Lemen, and Levi Michael Goode, expected in September. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews she cherished deeply.

Along with her husband, Jerlene was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Lonnie, Fred, Ken, William, John David, and infant Tommy Scott, as well as her sister Lori Bridgeman.

Jerlene will be remembered for her witty Southern humor, her deep love of animals and nature, her fierce protection of those she loved, and the warmth and peace she brought to others. Her genuine loyalty, strong faith, and generous heart left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She found joy in gathering under the “Family Tree” on sunny summer days, antiquing in local thrift stores, playing lottery tickets, and sipping coffee on the front porch while listening to the birds. Above all, she took greatest pride in raising her great-granddaughter, Bailey Ann, from newborn to teenager beginning at the age of 62.