Dianne Miley Felts died peacefully on October 12, 2014, at Haven Hospice free from the pain that ravaged her body most of her life. She was born in Hahira, Georgia on July 21, 1940, to the late Eugene Woodrow Miley and Frances Griner Miley.
Dianne was a graduate of Hahira High School class of 1958 and enjoyed high school reunions with dear old friends. Dianne attended Valdosta State and North Carolina State. She retired from Florida State College in Jacksonville. She lived in Georgia, North Carolina and Florida during her life. She had a sharp wit, keen intellect and a fun sense of humor. She was elegant and kind.
Dianne was a voracious reader and enjoyed partaking in everything from suspense to historical drama to politics. Even at the end, she steadily persuaded her daughter to think about ideals by having her read Charles Krauthammer aloud while she slept.
Dianne was a passionate Christian and active volunteer in her church life. She participated in bible study, prayers askers and the choir. She loved to sing and take care of others.
She was a fantastic cook and took great pride in nourishing her family and friends with delicious and comforting food. Cooking was one of the tremendous ways she expressed love to others.
For the last 30 plus years, Dianne built a life of mutual care and love with her husband Thomas Felts. Dianne loved to travel and she and Tom had many great adventures from Bermuda to the Bahamas and New York to California. Her two dogs Charlie and Sassy gave her great joy and love. She loved the beach and she loved life.
She is survived by her loving husband, Thomas Earl (Pearly) Felts of Gainesville, FL; her son Charles (and Lillie) Powell of Greensboro, FL; her two daughters, Lisa Felts of Jacksonville, FL, and Angela (and John) Gieras of Westwood, KS; three sisters, Marilyn M. Brady of Hahira, Susan (and Jack) Prescott of Lynn Haven, FL, Kathy (and Danny) Beverly of Hahira; and one brother, Woody Miley of Hahira; three grandchildren, grandsons Josh Powell of Ocala, FL and Ashton Eslinger of Jacksonville, and grandaughter Brett Gieras of Westwood, KS; one great granddaughter Isabella Powell of Ocala; nieces and nephews, Lisa (and Joey) Herring of Lake Park, GA, Brink Prescott of Panama City, FL, Marti (and Jerry) Redding of Hahira, Ryan (and Mikki) Prescott of Austin, TX, Julie (and Tom) Nguyen of Atlanta, Bradley (and Gina) Beverly of Phoenix, AZ, Lea Miley, Trey Miley both of Valdosta; aunts, Fairy Powell of Tallahassee, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Griner Miley and Eugene Woodrow Miley.
A celebration of Dianne’s life will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Forest Meadows Funeral Home Chapel, 725 NW 23rd Ave with Rev. Laurie Vidal officiating. There will be a visitation one hour prior starting at noon. Interment will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park West.
The family is grateful to the numerous friends and family who came to sit and talk with Dianne during her last days. She knew she was loved. Her caregivers at Haven Hospice were kind, generous and gave the family a great gift during a very difficult time.
Our sympathy and prayers in the loss of Diane from a Hahira classmate.
Our condolences to the Felts family. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you during this difficult time. Through Jesus Christ life is eternal.
Russell and Denise Watkins
Dear Dianne, You have left your fingerprints on my heart, never to be erased. I will miss you so. You are precious to me, it would take writing a book to tell all that you have been to me. My big sister, my friend, my mentor, my encourager, my companion in laughter, hugs, and my comforter in sad times. I love you so much, words cannot express it. You have moved on from this life on this earth, but I am sure that in heaven, they know you have arrived. Love you forever, forever and ever, my sister you’ll be. Kathy
Many Prayers. Diane was beautiful lady with a beautiful soul and a heart to match. She will be truly missed.
Diane was and will always be a dear friend of mine. She loved her Florida Gators as much as I love the Tennessee Vols. We would always tease each other about the outcome of the game.
Diane was a true blue southern belle.
May God Bless Pearly and the rest of the family.
Tom:
Thinking of you. Our thought and prayers are with you and your family.
Sure is tuff losing another family member our thoughts prayers will forever be with you.
Dear Susan,
We are very sorry to hear about your
Sister.
Please know our thoughts and prays
Are with you and your family.
Gary and Cumi
Dear Pearly,
Just wanted to let you know that out thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family through this very difficult time. Dianne will be truly missed and sorry we couldn’t make the trip.
Love,
Brett Allen and Ashley Tabb
Lisa and Angela,
Thinking about both of you after reading your mother’s obituary in the paper yesterday. Sounds like she was quite a gal – obviously the apples didn’t fall far from the tree! I hope you are both doing well and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Percy
Thoughts & Prayers during this difficult time.