Emma Diane Wilson

Emma “Diane” Wilson 65 of Sanford passed away peacefully on Saturday May 25, 2019, after a short illness. A graveside service will be held at Buffalo Cemetery on Friday, May 31 at 1:00pm. The family encourages attendees to dress comfortably for the weather. The family will greet friends at the Flame Steak House, 109 Carbonton Road, Sanford, following the Graveside Services.

Diane grew up in Sanford and graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s in Science. She worked in the medical record departments of Lee County Hospital, Central Carolina Hospital and Moore Regional Hospital for many years. Many may remember her as a friendly cashier at Food Lion in Tramway, where she worked for the past 19 years.

Diane’s “children” were the many cats that she had throughout her life including Tabby from her college years and most recently Lil Buddy and Louie. She never turned away a stray cat and took great care to make sure the cats had food, shelter and proper veterinary care.

In her final weeks following her diagnosis Diane said she felt very much loved and was comforted by the visits from neighbors, friends and family, many of whom she hadn’t seen in years. She was most grateful for the immediate and complete support and care provided by Liberty Hospice and the staff at Westfield Rehabilitation and Health Center in Tramway.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Hilus C. Wilson and Hazel Luquire Wilson; also, her brothers James Harvey Wilson (Jimmy) and William Paul Wilson (Bill).

Diane is survived by her oldest niece, Alicia Wilson Gilsenan, her husband Sean and their children -Allan Michael and Elaina of Cary, NC; oldest nephew, James “Russell” Wilson, his wife Angela and their children - Victoria, Jacob, and Averianna of Benson NC; nephew Bryce Wilson his wife Teresa and their children – Blake, Natalie and Alyssa from Greensboro, NC and niece LeeAnn Leonard, her husband Ken and their children Henry and Jillian of Oak Ridge, NC; and her sisters-in-law Doreen Wilson of Greensboro, NC and Janet Wilson of Benson, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Humane Society of the United States online https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Donation2?24225.donation=form1&df_id=24225 or mailed to The Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037.