Diana Ragsdale

Diana Murtaugh Ragsdale, age 75, peacefully passed away on the evening of February 27, 2025 surrounded by loved ones in her Rocky Mount, NC home. Diana was born in Dunn, NC, on March 26, 1949, to the late Cephus Melvin Tart and the late Maude Gilmore Tart.

Diana is survived by daughter: Christina Ragsdale Gupton and William Corbett Gupton; cherished grandchildren: William Corbett Gupton, Jr. and Isabelle Bardin Gupton; sister: Virginia Hawley; niece: Cheri Hawley and Russ Midili from Raleigh, NC; nephew: Donnie Alford and Gloria Alford of Mississippi; and Christina's father: Warren Godwin Ragsdale of Richmond, Virginia.

Diana was preceded in death by her sister: Frances Tart; and nephews: Johnny McLamb and Barry Shawn Hawley. Diana was also predeceased by her first husband, Air Force Staff Sergeant Barry Wayne Murtaugh, a native of Ridley Park, PA, who valiantly gave his life in Vietnam while in service to the United States of America in 1969.

Diana grew up in Dunn, NC and graduated from Dunn High School. She had many special memories from her time in Dunn and always held a special place in her heart for her hometown.

Diana continued her education at Sandhills Community College and Appalachian State University. Once completing her degree, Diana made Richmond, VA her home. She began a long career in financial services and retired as a Senior Vice-President of Virginia Federal. After retirement from banking, Diana was inspired to start a business, ‘Transformations by Diana', a service to help families make a house a home. Interior design was her true passion, and this passion was rewarded with the honor of ‘Top 5 Best Designers’ in 2016 by the Richmond Times Dispatch. Diana realized while working with clients that finding that ‘one special item’ could really complete a room or a whole house. This led to her second successful business adventure, “Izzie’s Consigning with Grace’. Diana’s creativity and keen eye for antiques made Izzie’s a destination for hidden treasures and one-of-a-kind items. Diana loved Izzie's and it brought her so much joy. Diana enjoyed her many years in Richmond and was very active, not only in business, but in her Brandermill church and community.

Eventually, Diana decided to move back to NC to be closer to family and found a beautiful home in Rocky Mount, NC. She was so thankful for the warm welcome from all her new friends. She was very happy in her new community.

The family would like to thank all of the many friends along the way for all of their kindness and caring. Diana loved all of you. The family would like to thank Amada Senior Care and Amedisys Hospice for the compassion and support they gave Diana and her family.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in memory to Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation.

Diana’s celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Chapel of Cromartie-Miller Funeral Home in Dunn, NC. Visitation and reception will immediately follow the service at The Howard House, 402 South Layton Avenue, Dunn, NC 28334.