It is with deep sadness that the family of Diane Lee Stringfield Harris announces her passing on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
She was born in Dayton, Ohio, on March 13, 1950, the daughter of the late Cecil Stringfield and Emma Belle Sexton Stringfield. Nicknamed "Cookie" by her father as a baby, she is still known as Cookie to her family. She was preceded in death by her husband Millard Harris Jr. She is survived by their two daughters Amy (Mike) Bartlett and Carrie (John) Hockensmith, and one grandson Justice Hockensmith. She is also survived by one brother John (Lisa) Stringfield, and two sisters Cathy (Carl) Broaddus and Lisa (Keith) Miller, as well as several nephews (Jamey Stringfield, Kyle Broaddus, Cory Stringfield, and Steven Harris) and nieces (Samantha Fish and Janna Lopez) and many great nephews and nieces. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Larry (Debbie) Stringfield and one sister, Judy Stringfield.
At an early age and as the oldest of six children with a working mother, she provided care and learned responsibility. She came from a long line of strong women and carried those lessons on to her own children. Diane attended Fugazzi College of Business for office administration. She went on to work at the VA Hospital in Lexington where she met and married Millard. She spent most of her career at and retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Buckhorn.
Diane was always busy with many of her hobbies and pastimes. In the summer months, she could be found gardening. She loved canning and preserving, putting stores away to provide for her family during the winter months. During those winters, she spent many hours sewing, providing clothes for her daughters as well as for their dolls and Barbies. Babies that arrived for family and friends were often gifted with a new afghan, and she made many other crocheted and sewn items for her family. Quiet times were spent reading, and John Grisham was a particular favorite. She always enjoyed music and loved to sing. One of her daughters' fondest memories is of Saturday mornings spent house cleaning while listening and singing along to Alabama and The Eagles records.
She was quick to provide a listening ear for friends and could always be counted on for a contribution to a bake sale or a dish when there was a death in the community. She took great comfort in her faith and love of her church and church family. The special joy of her life was her grandson, Justice. She was always ready for any adventure he wanted to tackle. According to Justice, she was, "The best Miney in the world!"
Diane was tremendously loved and will be deeply missed.
Funeral services were conducted on Monday September 25, 2023, at Rock Bottom Baptist Church in Buckhorn. Burial followed in the Justice Riley Cemetery.
Lakes Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
