Dianne King of Carmi, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home Thursday, July 6, 2023. She was surrounded in love by her beloved mother and two daughters.
Dianne was born on January 17, 1952, in Eldorado, Illinois, to Creighton and Helen Doris (Wilson) Hampton. Dianne graduated from Ridgway High School in 1970, received her bachelor’s degree in education from Oakland City University in 1973, received her master’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University in 1987. Over the next 30 years, Dianne spent much of her career teaching Junior and Senior English and Speech, directing school plays, and mentoring countless students at Gallatin County High School. In her last years of being an educator, Dianne wrote grants for Gallatin County Schools to receive funds to better the school, the community, and to serve underprivileged children in the district through establishing medical and dental services.
Dianne had a quick wit, loved to laugh, was known to quote obscure literature on occasion, and break out into song, be it country, gospel, or Broadway musicals. Dianne loved to travel, read, eat Friday night pizza with her girls and loved going to the movies. She was very close to her parents and credited them for being an example of living a life of faith and deep devotion to a relationship with Jesus Christ, which they passed on to her and she, to her daughters. She strove to raise her girls to be independent, have an appreciation of all the wonderful things of the world discovered through travel, mission trips, and to recognize our great blessings while living out the scripture, “I am my brother’s keeper”.
Dianne so enjoyed her wonderful friends and their various adventures together. Her friends were very dear to her heart.
Dianne is survived by her beloved mother, Helen Doris Hampton of Carmi, Illinois and her two daughters (whom she commonly referred to as “my girls”) Jennifer (Patrick) McDonner of Evansville, Indiana, and Amy (Brent) Van Zandt of Newburgh, Indiana, her seven grandchildren whom she adored; William, Kyla, Sophia, and Patrick Creighton (Cy) McDonner and Hannah, Emily, and Owen Van Zandt. Dianne was preceded in death by a sister, Donna Jean (1950), brother David Creighton (1961) and her father, Stanley Creighton Hampton (2021). Undoubtedly, there was great rejoicing in heaven at the reunion of Dianne, her siblings, and their Daddy.
Funeral Services for Diane King will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday July 14, 2023, at Plainview General Baptist Church, 792 County Road 325 North, Norris City, IL, with burial following immediately at the Plainview Cemetery. Family and Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Dianne to support research for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Dementia related disorders. Contributions will be accepted by Campbell Funeral Home 609 West Main Street Carmi, IL, 62821, who is in charge of the arrangements.