December 17, 55,
Diane Butts Strickland, 55, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at her home.
Diane was born in Wayne County on July 21, 1962 to Ann Gray Butts of Goldsboro and the late Donnie Butts. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben C. Strickland, on November 7, 2015. Diane’s warmth, generosity and kind spirit were well known and cherished by those she encountered throughout her life. She gave the true gift of life to her father in 2007, a kidney that allowed Donnie to continue to enjoy life until his death in 2012. Diane was always the person to get her family together for dinners and other social events. With her love for cooking, Diane started a cake baking business called Icing on the Cake and her cakes were sought after for special events. She will also be remembered by many for her eye to decorate and for her need to keep everything clean as reflected in the beauty of her home. Diane was the rock of her family, her children knew that she loved them with all her heart and truly was a blessing to them. Although she had some health challenges, she always remained focused on her family, her faith and her friends.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 21, 2017 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home followed by a service to celebrate Diane’s life at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel. Interment will be in Willow Dale Cemetery.
She is survived by her children: Benjamin Charles Strickland Jr. and wife Adrienne; Cameron Gray Strickland; Pamela Strickland Jessup and husband Dr. David B. Jessup; and Stacie Noelle Strickland; and the grandmother to five grandchildren, Alma Noelle Strickland, Lukas Blackwell Jessup, Delaney Kelsey Jessup, Parker Benjamin Strickland, and Cooper Morris Strickland; and was anticipating the birth of a granddaughter in January, 2018. She is also survived by her brother, Donnie Butts, Jr.; special friend, Marion Wayne Dale; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: John C. and Peggy Strickland and Robie B. and Carol Strickland Jr; and aunts, Peggy Watson, Brenda Gray, Rose Hinton, Emily B. Gurley, and Becky B. Strickland.
In addition to her husband and father, Diane was preceded in death by a grandson, Noah Strickland Jessup; maternal grandparents, Richard and Gladys Gray and paternal grandparents, Earl and Inez Butts.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.