Dianna Lee (Stark) Embry

IMPORTANT SERVICE UPDATE: Burial for Mrs. Dianna (Stark) Embry will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Mountain Park Cemetery in Saint Jo. Dianna Lee Stark Embry passed away Saturday afternoon March 23, 2024 at age 80 in her home in Harlem, Georgia after several years of battling pain and discomfort. Dianna was the daughter of the late Leo J. Stark and Gladys Harwell of Oklahoma. When she was two years old, she and her family moved to El Paso, Texas, where she grew up enjoying the arid climate and open spaces. She was a tomboy at heart and enjoyed playing cowboys and Indians, much to her sister’s dismay. She also enjoyed singing and always made sure she sang in the school’s choir. In 1963 while attending college at Texas Tech University, Dianna met James Richard (Dick) Embry as they both attended St. John’s Methodist Church. They were both part of the service fraternity and sorority on campus and found themselves working together. Dick volunteered for the army and was stationed first in Louisiana then Georgia, before returning to Texas for leave in September of 1964, when he asked Dianna to marry him. They were married in 1965, in Lubbock, Texas. The couple moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina where Dick was stationed (Fort Bragg). In 1966 they went back to Lubbock, Texas where they both returned to school. Dianna graduated in 1968 with a degree in Home Economics. She was not allowed to walk in the commencement exercises, however, because she was due with her first child (Duane) and the school officials were too nervous to have her participate. She didn’t mind, however, because her greatest joy in life was to become a mother. Dianna leaves a legacy of a large and close family, including her loving spouse, Dick. Together they had five children: Duane (Kimberly), Deeann (Steve), Darren (Brenda), Denise (Richard), and Doyle (Jean). Their 20 grandchildren are (Duane) Stephen, Sarah, Nathan, Rebekah, Daniel, (Deeann) Brittni, Cameron, Miranda, Donavan, (Darren) Zachary, Logan, Abigail, Stanlee, (Denise) Stephanie, Courtney, Joshua, (Doyle) Mitchell, Elizabeth, Jackson, and Evelyn. Dianna has 8 great-grandchildren with more to come. She also has 4 nieces she was close to. Dianna’s one sister is the late Jeannie Stark. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her spouse, her five children and their spouses, her grand and great-grandchildren, and the many close friends she made. She never hesitated to take time to talk to anyone who needed an ear to pull on and would always comfort, inspire and bless those that she talked to. Dianna’s definition of family extended to anyone she met - she was known as mom to everyone, from the college students at the student center at the University of Georgia, to all members of her church, to anyone who had a few moments to get to know her. You could not know Dianna Embry without knowing of her strength, faith, and love for others. Dianna’s incredible character instilled in her children a resilient love for and faith in God. Dianna served in numerous assignments in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including teacher, primary president, relief society president, and stake primary president, just to name a few. However, her favorite act of service may have been her most recent responsibility to find people to give the prayers in church each week, which she took very seriously and did faithfully until she was physically unable to do so. The family will receive friends at the Harlem Ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 470 North Louisville Street in Harlem, Georgia on Saturday, March 30th from 12:00 noon until 1:30. Funeral services for Dianna Embry will follow at the same location at 2:00 pm.

Dianna Lee (Stark) Embry

February 14, 1944 - March 23, 2024