Mary "Diane" Stanley

Funeral services for Diane Stanley, 53, of Nacogdoches, will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Sonny Scarbrough and Bro. John Collins officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at Laird Funeral Home. 

Mary “Diane” Stanley left this world and found complete healing after a fierce fight against cancer on March 27, 2022, in Nacogdoches.

She was born on May 20, 1968, in San Augustine, Texas. Diane grew up in a loving home with parents that not only loved her but celebrated and enjoyed her to the fullest! When she was younger, Diane loved going to Dog Patch Amusement Park.  Her father would go on each of the rides with her over and over again & every time Diane looked back her mother was there cheering them on with a smile and enthusiastic wave. Over the years Diane and her mother shared in countless girl’s day outs shopping together. Diane’s admiration towards her mother & father grew greater each year of her life. Their guidance and love for her helped her in leading and loving others.

After high school, Diane graduated Panola College and was a cosmetologist for 33 years. When Diane cut her client’s hair she not only gave them the service of self-care but provided a joyful gathering place for them to share their lives.

Diane’s unfailing faith in God was her greatest gift to others. Her most cherished Bible verse came from the book of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.”

Everybody that knew Diane knew that she loved faithfully with the tenderness of a mother. She dedicated her life to loving others. Diane was patient. Diane was kind. Diane was humble, yet wholly rich in the life she was given. Diane was selfless, calm, and extended forgiveness without doubt or reservations. Diane found joy in nurturing and supporting others, trusting that she would instill hope and grace in the world. Diane persevered and fought fiercely against cancer— and ultimately found peace and wholeness in her Heavenly healing. Diane’s love never failed because God’s love never fails.

Diane’s most profound form of love was the inspiring life she and her husband, Tommy, built together. Her vulnerable and undeniable love for Tommy and the abundant love he showed her in return strengthened her faith and understanding of how we are all meant to love one another. Tommy and Diane first celebrated the unity of marriage on September 30, 2000, at Bethel Baptist Church with a small ceremony. In September of 2005 they renewed their vows surrounded by family overflowing with five years of eagerness to celebrate their love for one another!  With each other’s support and dedication, they spent 21 years building a life together. There was no place that felt safer and more peaceful than their home tucked behind the winding pine trees of a Nacogdoches County. A home that throughout the years welcomed many animals, children of all ages, new friends and old friends, and their ever-growing family. A home that welcomed with love and laughter. Ultimately, Diane was Tommy’s greatest listener. She would listen to his hopes and dreams, listen on his hardest days, and was his most eager listener when he played music. If you were at one of Nickeldraft’s shows you know Tommy never failed to give a special shout out to his “honey bunch” before playing “Some Kind of Wonderful.” Just an hour before Diane found complete healing Tommy sang their song softly in her ear one last time.

In loving Tommy, Diane was not only given the gift of marriage, but the journey of motherhood. Motherhood showed her the impact her life and testimony could give to future generations. She dedicated two decades to creating a nurturing and safe space, hours of meaningful conversations & family time, and supporting the growth of the daughter God sent her to love. Brittany carries with her countless memories of warm homemade biscuits, late night phone calls, shopping trips & fashion shows, and unceasing support in all of her educational & extracurricular endeavors.

In recent years Diane was blessed to watch Brittany become a mother to Kannon, Paisley Diane, Peyton, and Kenlei and gained her most affectionate title—Memaw! She treasured every moment from welcoming her grandchildren into the world, to making homemade pizza, teaching them to garden, and hosting the most meaningful sleepovers.

Diane’s family finds comfort in knowing she has settled at the golden gates and found a table with bottomless chips & salsa picosa while she waits on reunification with each of her loved ones.

Diane is survived by her husband, Tommy Stanley, Jr.; daughter, Brittany Green; father, Kenneth (Pete) Mills; mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Mills; mother-in-law, Joyce Stanley; brothers-in-law, James Stanley and wife, Peggy and Johnny Stanley; grandchildren, Kannon Wayne Green, Paisley Green, Peyton Brylee Green, and Kenlei Ann Denny; and many other family members and friends.

Diane is preceded in death by her grandparents, Grady Mills and wife, Jannie and Francis Vaco; uncle and aunt, James Perry and wife, Bonnie; father-in-law, Tommy Stanley, Sr.; and great-aunt, Norma Jernnigan.

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