Raymona Diane Hirst

Raymona ‘Diane’ Hirst, of Leakey, Texas, passed away at her home on March 7th, 2020, surrounded by her husband and children. Diane was born June 16th, 1940, to the late LaVerna and Raymond Taylor. In addition to her parents, Diane is preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law Mary Lou & Joe Broom, her cousin Doris Templin, and several aunts and uncles. Diane was a master quilter and seamstress. She has made many quilts for friends and family with love sewed in every stitch. However, the ones with the most love were the ones she stitched for the children at Big Spring Ranch for Children. Diane was heavily involved with the Youth Ranch from the time they moved back to Leakey in 1998. Diane, along with her husband, Johnnie, severed in the Auxiliary for the Ranch. Diane was instrumental in making quilts and organizing people to make quilts for all the new children at the ranch. Diane has been involved in many community organizations over the years, including the Lions Club, Frio Canyon EMS, and the Real County Historical Society, Diane had many talents, not limited to cooking, baking, sewing, and quilting. Diane was also an accomplished artist with artwork bought by people from as far away as Japan. After moving back to Leakey, Diane enjoyed spending her time quilting and sewing for just about anyone that would ask. Diane was known to take her sewing on the road and continued making quilts and special items for people until her final days. Diane was an avid reader and would always take a book with her wherever she went. She spent a lot of time researching her family history and genealogy. She would make Johnnie stop at cemeteries and libraries as they traveled to Tennessee to visit their daughter and her family. She was a loving daughter and sister, devoted wife, a caring mother, and a friend anyone would be glad to have. However, the role she cherished the most was that of Granny. Diane is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 61 ½ years, Johnnie; sons Mike Hirst and Johnnie ‘Jay’ Hirst, Jr.’ both of Leakey; daughter Amy Potter of Tennessee; sister Patricia ‘Pat’ Hammond and husband Ralph Hammond of Leakey and Christine Wilmoth of Seguin; grandchildren Amanda and Sydni Potter of Tennessee; Ezekiel Hirst of Leakey; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Viewing will be 5 - 7 PM Friday, March 13th, at Nelson Funeral Chapel, Leakey, Texas. Services for Diane will be held at 1 PM Saturday, March 14th, 2020 at First United Methodist Church of Leakey. Interment will follow at Leakey Floral Cemetery in Leakey, Texas. The family will receive friends at the fellowship Hall after the committal service. Pallbearers will be Tim Tyra, Sid Tyra, Donnie Hutchinson, Derrick Hutchinson, Eddie Coffey, and Scooter Tyra. Honorary Pallbearers will be other members of the family. At other times, the family will receive friends at the home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Big Spring Ranch for Children c/o Hill Country Youth Ranch, PO Box 67, Ingram, TX 78025 or The Frio Canyon EMS, PO Box 803, Leakey, TX 78873. Arrangements are under the personal care of Nelson Funeral Home of Leakey, Texas.