Lillian Diane (Owens) Oakey

Elm City -

Lillian Diane Oakey, age 67, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Her journey began in Wilson County on August 30, 1955, the daughter of Richard Gaston and Annie Pearl Owens. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her precious grandson, Owen Tomas Crocker; sister, Priscilla “Moose” Bryant; brother, Richard “Sam” Owens; brothers-in-law, Raymond Lewis and Archie Bryant; aunts and uncles, Shirley and Bob Barringer and Melvin and Geraldine Owens.

Diane leaves a treasure trove of special memories for her husband of 43 years, James Thomas Oakey; daughters, Crystal Price (Michael) of Greenville and Melissa Rackley (Stacey) of Goldsboro; sisters, Dixie Lewis of Macclesfield, Melvina Gallinato (Jerry) of Williamston, and Vickie Roberson (Joe) of Williamston; sisters-in-law, Joyce Owens of Tarboro, Helen Driver of Elm City, Nancy Webb (Phil) of Pinetops, Frances Pipken (Thurman) of Elm City, and brother-in-law, Billy Oakey (Betty Lou) of Elm City; special "bonus daughters", Shelby Bryant-Harper (Donte) of Elm City and Raina Owens Brafford (Paul) of Greenville; along with several family friends, nieces, nephews and other extended relatives. Diane’s grandchildren, the lights of her life, include, Millie Ann Bunnell (Andrew) of Tarboro, Mikayla Rackley and Catherine Shea Rackley, both of Greenville, and Benjamin “Benji” Rackley of Goldsboro.

A  service to celebrate Diane's life will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 2:00PM at NorthSide Church, 1660 Beaver Pond Dr, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Burial will follow at the Cummings Family Cemetery, Macclesfield, NC. The family will receive friends from 6-8PM on Monday, December 5, 2022 at NorthSide Church and other times at the home. Diane loved everything purple - friends and family are invited to wear purple in honor and remembrance of her wonderful life.

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