Diane Beatrice Hemphill

Diane Beatrice Hemphill died Thursday, April 8, 2021, at her Pinetop, Arizona home following a lengthy illness.  She was 81 years old.  Diane was born on Tuesday, November 7, 1939, in San Mateo, California to her parents, the late Angelo and Lola (Simula) Guidotti.  

She married Richard Lee Hemphill.  In her early thirties, along with her growing family, Diane moved to the White Mountains where she owned and operated the Sprouse Reitz stores in Holbrook, Show Low and Pinetop.  Hers was truly a friendly and familiar face to thousands of others in the region.  When she sold the stores, she began a new and exciting career in law enforcement. For a few decades, Diane worked as a dispatcher for the Navajo County Sheriff's Office.  She was respected and well-liked by her peers and co-workers alike.  In a crisis, you could count on Diane to calm any situation.  

Being born of "goodly parents," Diane learned the value of hard work at an early age.  In turn, she and her husband, Richard, raised 3 incredibly gifted and respectable children and shared, with each one, life lessons that have blessed each one throughout their own lives.  They learned from their parents the importance of family and family values.  It's of these lessons and values that have molded their children into becoming the successes that they are today.

In 1996, Diane and Richard, as well as the rest of the family, suffered a devastating loss, when their son, Jody, passed away.  Then, in 2004, Diane and her children had to say, "Good-bye" to their patriarch, Richard, when he died.  Relying on each other, they truly were each other's best of friends. Her children rejoice in the "Great Plan of Happiness" of which the very God of Heaven could only be the Author.  Though, in sorrow they bid their mother, farewell, they know that even death can't break their family bonds, for they know Families are Forever.

Diane is survived by her children, Lyle Lee Hemphill and Terri Lynn Six. 

The graveside service will begin 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at the Lakeside Cemetery in Lakeside, Arizona.