Diana Sue Pemberton passed away on Monday morning, July 21, 2025 at Axiom Healthcare of Flora IL.  Diana was born May 25, 1952, at Clay County Hospital, Flora, IL, the daughter of Roy and Betty (Porter) Pemberton.  She was welcomed home by her brothers, Lowell and Earl.

      Diana was a faithful member of the First Christian Church, Flora, IL and taught Sunday school for fifty-six years which ended only six weeks prior to her passing. She was also involved with other ministries at FCC Flora:  Vacation Bible School, Outreach, Missions, Christmas Eve Programs and Finance.

      Diana attended twelve years of school in the Flora School District #35 followed by two years at Olney Central College.  In 1974, she graduated from Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Two years later, she completed the requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.

      Diana’s teaching career began at Springfield Christian School, Springfield, IL where she taught third grade for four years; followed by one year at Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, Hoyleton, IL.  She then worked thirty-four years for JAMP Special Education Services in southern Illinois.  She spent twenty-five years in a classroom and nine years as an itinerary teacher serving behavior-disordered children of all ages in four counties (Johnson, Alexander, Massac and Pulaski).

      Diana had a special place in her heart for women and children who were overlooked or taken advantage of and supported White Fields World Ministries (Founded by Mike and Faye Pemberton) since its beginning in 2002.  For eight years she sponsored Ario, an orphan from Indonesia, through Compassion International.

      No matter where Diana was teaching, she came back to Flora every weekend and summer to be with her family, attend church and help her close friends, Dr. Wayne and Sue Hurliman, at the Flora Veterinary Clinic. She had compassion for all animals. 

      Diana retired from teaching in 2012 but found a way to continue helping people by working with clients through Help at Home until illness forced her to stop in January 2023.

      Diana’s free time was spent keeping up with Major League Sports, and she always supported the Flora Wolves. She enjoyed watching TV, shopping, decorating her yard and taking care of neighborhood cats.  Diana was especially happy when family and friends stopped by to visit.

      Diana is survived by her step-niece, Tiffany Whitten, Fairview Heights, IL; two step-great nephews, Brett (Terra) Pruett and children, Herrick, IL, and Blake Pruett, Fairview Heights, IL; Uncles James Porter, Northwood, IA; Robert (Sandra) Porter, Louisville, IL; as well as many cousins.

      In addition to her church family, Diana is survived by special friends:  Dianne Perrine and family, Flora, IL; Ann English, Metropolis, IL; and Randy and Jenny Baer, Iuka, IL. Diana leaves behind three feline companions:  Sammy, Pansy and Fluffer Butter.

      Diana was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sister-in-law (Marcia Pemberton), Uncle (Elmo Pemberton), Mooresville, IN; and other aunts, uncles and cousins.

      Memorial services for Diana Sue Pemberton will be held at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, IL, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, with a visitation one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in Red Brush Cemetery, rural Louisville, IL.  In lieu of flowers, help a child or consider a donation to First Christian Church, Flora, IL which will be accepted through the funeral home.

      To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com