Diane Wright

1935 - 2025

Diane (Harris) Wright

Aug 29, 1935 - Jul 27, 2025

Diane Wright has passed into the more immediate presence of her Savior.

Diane Hester Harris was born to Gwyn Harris and the former Juanita Hester. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Lawrence Wright; and her brother, Arlen Harris. Diane graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1953, where she was popular and active in clubs and cheerleading. The Journal's "Teen-Age Corner" often reported on her hosting or attending slumber parties, pep rallies, and luncheons.

After graduating from Converse College in 1957, she married and had two children. Diane continued her community and social involvement. She loved good times with friends and family and valued having a beautiful home. She was famous for writing lovely thank you notes, and was teased for writing to thank people who sent her a note. Diane demonstrated deep generosity and thoughtfulness toward family and friends, and following her parents' example, made anyone who interacted with her regularly (garbage collectors, hairdresser, staff at restaurants and shops) feel special. She was respected and cherished in turn. Indeed, three little girls in the family were given the name "Diane" in honor of her.

Once her children were in college, Diane worked for her family's business, Forsyth Memorial Park, which is where she ran into former high school classmate Larry Wright; three months later, on March 14, 1987, they married. Diane was deeply dedicated to Larry, the love of her life. They found a church home at Fairview Moravian. They enjoyed lots of laughter with each other and their beloved and long-time housekeeper Dora Glenn, whom they took to California for their daughter's wedding. They loved watching sports, especially Wake Forest basketball; walking with dog Midnight; and eating out at favorite restaurants, often inviting family and always paying the check.

Diane was a devoted mother to her daughter and son, avidly supporting their interests and dreams. This deserves special credit because her support never wavered, even when she could not relate to their interests, and even when their dreams led both children to move far from Winston-Salem.

Diane was definitely a Southern lady, but she had a sense of mischief, sneaking cigarettes with her niece while in her 70s or relishing her older grandsons (aka "the hoodlums") playing in the crawl space with Larry, as long as they didn't track mud onto her clean floor! At a Christmas Eve service, tears ran down her face as she strained to suppress laughter when her 7-year-old grandson matter-of-factly accepted a cup of coffee and then proceeded to dip his Moravian bun into it. The last years of her life she was lovingly cared for by her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.

Diane is survived by her daughter, Follin Key (Ron); son, Gwyn (Catherine); grandchildren, Steven, Scott, Melanie (Hunter), and Alex Key; niece, Renee Patterson; nephew, Chris (Kim) Harris; cousins, Amy and Kevin Mendenhall; and great-nephew, Sam Patterson.

A memorial service will be held at Fairview Moravian Church on September 6, 2025, at 2 p.m., with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m., In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Fairview Moravian Church.