Dear Mom,

Mostly, I miss you and trying to figure out how I will live the rest of my life without you. But you were right, you said if i 'don't use this opportunity to break this whole spell now then i never will'. So the storm really was the golden opportunity. It was hard. I had to let go. But i did it! I broke the spell mom! "Sometimes God has to give us disasters in order to point us in the correct direction." I get it now! You were offering me an invitation to my future. So with each step forward, I envision releasing all of the hurt, guilt, and sorrow of my life, as it dissolves behind me. My future is now—and tho they have since moved on without me .. a warm little body entered my world, at 7 pounds 8 ounces .. a little baby boy, my grandson, Draco Thomas Ary .. your great-grandson (he got those outfits btw -thank you!) was born at 5:42pm on April 7th, 2019. Serena and Logan and i were able to visit him in the hospital and see him a couple hours after he arrived. In some ways, I've never felt so whole, or proud, or so free. Mom you were a wonderful loving mother and even more of an amazing loving grandma, no matter where you were! So no matter where I am, i too can be a wonderful amazing loving dad, grandpa and son, because I know you are still close and are cheering me on.  My feelings of loss have morphed into something else altogether: a deep sense of gratitude. I recognize my life had to unfold exactly as it has for me to have clear eyes and full heart to welcome this fresh start, my new beginning in life! I choose to honor what you wanted for me, besides cultivating myself is the best antidote for my grief. You want the best for me and care about everything I'm going thru. You love me without condition. 'Did you ever know that you're my hero? And everything I would like to be'. I love you and i appreciate you more than i could ever express. You are the wind beneath my wings! 

So fly high Mom, I've got it all right here in my heart.  Love Always, Clint

This morning I was very depressed, from it being the first Easter not having my wife with me celebrating the most important day in our faith; Resurrection Sunday. 

She loved you all immensely! She was always excited about spending time with family, especially holidays. But something else that she cared very deeply about is your salvation. Dianne and I prayed everyday for the salvation of our loved ones. And today, I heard a great sermon at church that helped bring joy back into my soul even through this rollercoaster ride with greif.

There are two ways of figuring out how to live life: Like God wants you to; read the bible join a church, hear the word preached and taught and be around those people to see how they live it out.. Or on your own. But you cannot do it on your own and just doing what you think is the right way to live. This is actually rejecting Christ as Lord. That would be like telling the local police that stealing is ok because you're hungry. (You can probably see where rejecting the local authorities might get you). 

After we become saved, however, the whole rest of our life should be about becoming more like Christ. You can't just say I believe in God and then live life like you see fit. That is rejecting Christ. If that was the case, why would he still need to die on the cross? You don't have to be part of church to be saved,  but I don't see how you wouldn't want to be with God's family if you are truly saved. 

I would certainly answer any questions. I love you all and this really is the most important decision of your lives. I hope you understand. I certainly would not get thru what I am going thru without my savior and my church family! 

I'm sorry if this seems unsentimental, but this is the truth and i believe it matters to her so much that it's right here on this page of her book.So please, just consider what I've said here. She wants to see all of you in heaven some day, same as me. And I'm saying all of this because I love you too, Doug

Dear Dianne, 

Thank you for taking care of Serena in the ways you did and I will not let you down on that promise that you asked for me to keep Serena always happy I will make sure I will always do that.

I will miss you ,

Logan  

Dear Tennessee Grandma,

I miss you so very much. I think of you daily. Even though it may be a few years before Logan and I give you great-grand kids, I wanted you to meet your great-grandchildren and to tell them about your life as well as mine. I have gone to stores and saw things to get as gifts for your first grandchild, Trevor’s son Draco, and I just think about all the wonderful stories that you told me about when I was little. Your favorite being, when I was about to be born and you got the call and said it was “baby time.” This is my favorite too. Now, I will share these stories with my kids when I have them, especially how loving, excited, and full of life you were when you told them. I will tuck their hair back behind there ear as I tell the stories just like you would for me. I will do all of this because you are and forever will be in my heart. You have been such a large part of my life and helped raise me to be the woman I am today. I would not be as successful if I did not have you and you will always be remembered in the generations to come. I just wanted you to know that and to let you know how much I will be missing you for the rest of my life as your memory lives on. I miss you saying “hello baby.” I miss your calls to check in on me. I miss our holidays. I miss the hugs and the kisses. I miss your advice. I miss your smile. I miss your voice. I miss your beautiful face and soul. What I miss the most are our long girl talks and you saying “I love you baby.” When I pass on, I hope you know I expect many more of those. You will always be in my mind and heart and I know that you are beside me always. I love you so much more than words could ever express.

Forever Your Baby, 
Serena

My last words on the phone to you were, “I love you, bye.” We were planning to see each other that weekend, but I never got to because before I could, you were gone. I thought I had more time…

Like the time you invested in bringing me up in the way I should go. The time you spent saving all year for Christmas, & the time you took to arrange the gifts, anticipating the look of awe on our faces. Like the time we spent picking dandelions for you (before I knew they were seen as weeds to be trampled on, forgotten, cut down & mowed over), & the time you would take to put those dandelions neatly in a cup by the window for us. 

Like the time you spent dressing me for school & walking me to the bus. Like the time you spent at football games, cheering us on when we won & encouraging us when we lost. Like the time you spent teaching me the lessons of life, & teaching me how to chivalrously treat a woman. Like the time you invested in showing off my drawings, prodding me to pursue my gifts. Like the time you spent putting Calamine on my annual contraction of poison ivy (except the year I promised you I wouldn’t get it). Like the time you spent consoling me when I cried. The extra time you spent telling stories because you didn’t just want me to listen, but to experience them with you. Like the time you took to tell me of your dream:

You were in a garden with flowers of every kind. Jesus was there with you. You were telling Him how beautiful it all was. He asked if you wanted to see His favorite, & He pointed beyond the garden to a field full of dandelions. 

He was telling you that His favorite people are the ones trampled on, forgotten, cut down & mowed over. I know you felt that way at times. I wish I could have changed that. I have my regrets. But I’m happy you were His favorite. I just wish I had more time.

I know that I’ll see you again someday. And now all that separates us is time. 

I miss you, Mom. I weep as I write. I thought I had more time.

“I love you, bye.”

My first memory of my sister Dianna was when she was just a few weeks old. Mom was giving her a bath in a round white ceramic dish pan. They were in the kitchen, by the back door, the sun was shinning and the birds were singing. We were living in the second house on the Yankeetown property.   I was happy to have a baby sister.  Years later Dianna, Sharon (our other sister) and I were playing outside under the big tree in our front yard.   We didn't have yard toys and were playing with the sticks, leaves and dirt.  Happy easy days.  I felt like I spent my life taking care of my little sister. She turned to me when she needed help, or to talk or just when she needed a hug.  When we grew up we had our separate lives in separate States but we wrote letters and visited when we could. We didn't get to share our weddings or our children's births but we wrote those letters. Dianna always wanted a little girl and one summer tried, and almost succeeded, to talk my little girl, Sarah, to become her little girl. I had to put my foot down on that one.    It was always amazing to me how talented Dianna was. She reupholstered furniture, taught her self how to play the guitar and piano, planted gardens, ran a tea party business with great aplom and then ran an eBay business.  Both her business required a large amount of work and dedication and she was very successful. Dianna was the typical southern gal, sweet, friendly, outgoing and highly capable.  Over the last twenty years her health took several bad turns and affected the way she was able to live her life. She hated that because it kept her from doing what she wanted to do.  I know that Dianna is in heaven looking back and finally understands what was wrong that tore her life apart.   We had some rough times the last few years but I think now that the misunderstandings were from the issues we both suffered from.  I know we were getting past that and I know that I love you and I will miss you for the rest of my life.

Dianne was my sister. She was beautiful, caring, loving, honest, faithful mom and sister. If we needed anything she was there to help. My  mom told me many stories about her childhood. It was very funny to hear it all from Dianne. She loved everyone. 
It was very hard for me to get a call about here death. Memory's started to fill my head. I always thought that I would be next after dad's death. I wish that we could have you back. 
You will be loved and greatly missed. Give Dad a hug and kiss from us all. I love you Dianne.


I miss you, Dianne. I wish I could have done more to help you. Now you can dance with Angel's there in heaven. It will be better than all the fun dancing we did back in Thrifty Nickel days.  

I was talking with Joanna the other day, she called to check up on me. Instantly reminded me of you, how you would call! 

Mark was sorry, that you had gotten to the point of where you were! He wished that you would have called him, or any of us kids! Mark was in the Hospital with a leaking heart valve, hopefully meds will correct that problem for him. Joanna expressed the same thing several times now, mentioning that you were always upbeat, when you called her. 

Peggy and I don't talk much, she's busy raising 2 sons. I'm busy working too much!

After Dad passed in 2013, you were of such comfort to me! You would call or text, checking that I was ok? I was conflicted! Dad had told me his plans, ten years before getting sick. I understood his reasoning, but emotionally, I was torn over it! I could rationalize,  why Dad made his decision.  I never thought, out of Dad's five children, that you would be the 1st to go? Some reason, I thought it would be me?

I know how much you missed your Mom! I pray you have found Peace! Just know, you will be missed! Never forgotten!

Miss you, Sister!



Doug, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Dianne's family during this time. We were privileged to have known her.

Dear Doug, Mom and I are sending our love to you. We wish we could be there to offer hugs and support. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Love you-Auntie Ursula and Linda

Dear Doug and family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our family will always cherish the sweet times we spent with Dianne when we all lived in Tennessee. She was so eager to meet Kathryn the day we brought our precious daughter home. You two were the first to meet Baby Kathryn that Christmas Eve. Dianne will be greatly missed.

Dear,dear Douglas,
             So very sorry to hear of Di’s passing. You two were such a cute couple so much love shared. May God’s love comfort you  now and always.
              Love and Prayers for you and family. 

My dear cousin I will always remember your smile your laughter.  The Times we had at grandmas and grandpas running thru the fields playing in the barn and getting in trouble.  I remember how crazy we were about the monkeys(band) and how we wanted to go see them in Wisconsin I could go on and on but I wont.  I love you my dear cousins Rip and I will see you again one day

My Dear Doug,

So sorry to hear the news of your wife’s passing. It breaks my heart for you.
I’ve always admired how you have handled your life, and the way you have expressed your faith...I know that as time goes you will be using that faith to
To find solace at this sad time in your life. Go to your God, your family and your friends..they will comfort you..I’m sending you a big hug and much love
In this message. I hope you know and understand you are now and always will be loved...blessings, your Aunt Sherry

Doug, so sorry for your loss.  Diane was a sweet and beautiful woman inside and out. We remember her fondly. There are really no words to ease your pain, but I know that our Heavenly Father is with you in the midst of it all. Sometimes all you can do is fall into His arms. We are praying for you and your family.

Doug and family. May gods healing prayers enbrace your hearts in this time of need. Sending our love. 

My beautiful sister in law, I will miss you so very much.   Rest In Peace.  

Steve and Family,
 Matt and I just wanted you all to know we are so sorry for your loss and to let you and your family know you are in our thoughts & prayers. Cherish your moms memories with you Steve no one can take those away from you and just remember she will always be with you everywhere you go.

With greatest sympathy,
      Matthew,Faye & Ollie Allen

She was my bride the love of my life  She suffered a lot for many years She now is with Christ and there is no more pain or suffering . I will miss her greatly as we all will . I will see her again in heaven If you know Christ you will as well praise God 

It was a pleasure to get to know Dianne in a small group I led at Three Rivers Baptist Church in Irmo, South Carolina. She was also a member of the Sunday school class where I share in the teaching. She had a sweet disposition and a ready laugh. She would contribute helpful insight to our group discussions.  We were sad when Doug and Dianne moved away. 

May the Great Shepherd console the family.

76 O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, According to Your word to Your servant. 
77 May Your compassion come to me that I may live, For Your law is my delight. (Psalm 119:76-77 )

Bob Holmes
Columbia, South Carolina 


OBITUARY

Dianne Stepro Ary Watson

August 4, 1954 – March 16, 2019

Alexander Funeral Home-Newburgh Chapel

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