Visitation will be Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 6:00-9:00 pm at Inman Ward Funeral Home Chapel. A Celebration of Life service will be held Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 3:00 pm in the Inman Ward Funeral Home Chapel. The Interment Service will be held at the Wright Cemetery located on the 1200 block of Minos Meares Rd, Tabor City, immediately following the Celebration of Life service.
Having been married October 9, 1960, she and John Wayne were close to celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary. No matter the task, she was always a helpmate to her husband, the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. “She shall rejoice in time to come……Her children arise up,
and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her”. One of their last conversations was that they agreed they had a good life together.
She was primarily a banker for more than 40 years, before retiring. Dutifully fulfilling the role of a farmer’s wife, she often took vacation during the harvest season to drive a truck to haul grain. Many days prior to going to work at the bank, she would deliver snacks to the farm workers. A good number of her “banker” lunch hours were spent running errands for the farming operation. Nights and weekends were busy with record-keeping, payroll and other farm-related duties.
At an early age, she played the piano for numerous churches where her father preached revival services. She passed on her love of music to her daughter, often playing duets while sharing the piano stool. Diana loved the Lord and taught her children to love friends, family, church and Jesus-not necessarily in that order! Oh yes, don’t forget about the ability to love their work! Even at an early age, all three of her children had household chores and farm duties.
Like her father, she loved to fish. She enjoyed having a big fish fry for friends and family. Fishing was her retirement dream. The dream becoming reality when her husband built her a pond in their back yard. When she was able, you might see her on the pier with a hook in the water. If she caught fish but not able to arrange a fish fry, she would call neighbors to share her catch.
Many friends and family’s days were brightened when receiving a card in the mail from her. Diana was busy beyond busy- never idle. You could count on her to be one of the first to be at a neighbor’s house whenever she felt a need-whether a joyous occasion, sickness, tragedy, death, etc.
She prepared meals many years for all the family farm workers-often driving to several locations to see that everyone was fed. Many neighboring farmers, friends, mailman and others benefitted when she drove away from fields with food remaining in her pots. She didn’t want to bring home leftovers, preferring to bless others. Even after her health declined and she needed a walker for mobility, she was faithful to bring food to church anytime food was served. She never showed up empty handed. Diana was an extra-ordinary woman. She worked quietly behind the scenes-never seeking recognition.
Being a crafty person, she was instrumental in initiating a prayer blanket ministry at several area churches-even teaching a class at the Columbus County Arts Council on how to cut and tie the blankets. Arthritic hands didn’t deter her determination to participate in the prayer blanket ministry. In her later days, she ordered boxes of material for the ministry to continue through the women at Iron Hill Baptist Church. Even while under Hospice care, she shared the art of preparing the prayer blankets with others. Hundreds of individuals have felt the warmth and known the power of prayer through the gift of a blanket which she helped assemble.
Having been born premature, Diana had a lot of health problems during her time on earth. However, with God’s favor, she recently celebrated her 84th birthday-having lived longer than either of her parents, brother or sister.
Diana most often had a smile on her face. Even while in the hospital bed, with the doctor talking with her about her last days, she was smiling when she said she was in the Lord’s hands. When she was diagnosed with cancer, she testified she never shed a tear. She prayed that God
would spare her pain. He did! She prayed that God would not let her be bed-ridden. He answered her prayer! She prayed that God would take care of her family. He has! The Hardwick family has truly been blessed! All those that knew Diana would most certainly agree they have been blessed also for having known her. To God be the glory!
Diana requested no flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Iron Hill Baptist Church Building Fund c/o Jordan McPherson, 422 WJ McPherson Lane, Clarendon NC 28432.
A service of Inman Ward Funeral Home & Crematory of Tabor City.
