Ms. Diane Harding

With Sincere Compassion and Understanding, we, the Management and staff of Williams & Ashford Funeral Directors, join with the Harding and connected families to announce the earthly transition of Ms. Diane Harding, 79, transitioned at the Wallace Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Wallace, NC. Diane Marilyn Harding was born on June 13,1944 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to the late Aubrey Cain and Norma Langford-Cain. She grew up in Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia where she was raised by her grandparents the late Rodney and Elizabeth Cromwell lovingly known to us as Grampie and Gan. Diane transitioned from this life on June 3, 2024, at the Wallace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Wallace, NC. As a young child she was considered a tomboy who loved the outdoors and could always be found trailing behind Grampie either helping him in the barn, drawing water from the well, or gathering wood from the woodpile. Diane left Weymouth Falls as a young woman and settled in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada where she would meet and later marry the late Richard C. Harding who was member of the United States Air Force. This began her life as a military wife and mother traveling to various duty stations throughout the United States. It was during this season of her life that she launched her career in the culinary food service industry. She attended culinary training schools in New York that gave her a wealth of knowledge about the culinary food service industry and helped to perfect her skills. Diane held various positions throughout her career which led to her becoming a Culinary Specialist. Diane retired from Seymour Johnson AFB after 30 years of service in food the food industry. She then became employed at the Walnut Creek Country Club for a period of 17 years. She was known by many as "Miss Walnut Creek." Diane had a passion for serving others and preparing delicious meals, while coordinating everything to perfection. She especially loved attending the ladies of the Bridge Club and working the Red Hat parties. She enjoyed bingo, playing cards and drinking coffee with friends and her daily talks with her grandson Bryan. She loved to entertain, host parties, and cook on the grill. She was never one to hold her tongue and always spoke her mind. She said what she meant and meant what she said. Diane was a free spirit with a generous and loving heart. In addition to her parents, grandparents and Richard Harding, Diane was preceded in death by son-in -law Lewis (Greg) Hampton. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Donald Cain, Little Brook Station, Nova Scotia; Dawn Hampton, Jacksonville, NC; Darren Harding and Michael Harding of the home; and Jeffrey Harding of Butner, NC; a sister Rosalind Martin (affectionately known as Cottoneye to Diane), Edmond, OK; her grandchildren: Justin and Jeffrey; Akilah, Lewis, Ada and Bryan; Brianna and Tyler; Taylor; Andre, Amy and Dallen; nephews: Shawn Sr and Nakia; great-nephews: Shawn Jr, Kishon, Kino; great-niece: Trinity; children of her heart: Diwanda and Deborah Hutchins, Bishop Chris (Revelene) Hutchins, James Hutchins and Ingrid Gardner; a special group of friends she considered Brothers and Sisters; and a host of other relatives and friends throughout the United States and Canada. A Public Visitation will be observed on Thursday, June 13, 2024, from the hours of 5 until 7 PM at Williams & Ashford Funeral Chapel, 401 N. William St., Goldsboro, NC 27530. A Balloon release will take place immediately after the visitation. Services of Love & Compassionate Care have been entrusted to Williams & Ashford Funeral Directors and Cremations, LLC.

Ms. Diane Harding

June 13, 1944 - June 3, 2024