Diane Lynn (Call) Bailey, 53, of Springfield, passed away at home on Saturday, September 3, 2016. She was born to Raymond and Nina Call on December 15, 1962 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. She grew up in a close knit community surrounded by family and her Blue Ridge Mountains.
After graduating with honors from West Wilkes High in 1981, Diane graduated from the McConnell Travel Agent School in Minneapolis, then returned home to attend Wilkes Community College where she pursued a career in radio broadcasting, working as a radio announcer for several stations in North Carolina. A huge music lover she enjoyed attending concert in her youth and especially loved the music of her favorite artist Neil Young.
After leaving the radio industry, Diane worked as a telephone operator for Centel of North Carolina (now Sprint) until meeting her husband, Tom Bailey, of Springfield, Missouri who was in North Carolina with Walmart. They married in October, 1990, and spent several years following Tom's career to South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Maryland. While in Nevada, Diane returned to the radio business working for a station in Reno.
After the sudden passing of her mother in 1996, Tom and Diane settled in Springfield where she was content to be a housewife. Diane was very outgoing and could carry on a conversation with everyone she met. In addition to music, she loved watching classic films from the 1930's , 1940's, and 1950's as well as more recent movies.
She possessed a special gift for loving animals. Over the years she rescued, nurtured, and found homes for many cats and dogs, as well as adopting some for her own. She also enjoyed hiking, especially the Reno-Tahoe area of Nevada as well as vacations to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park in Utah, her favorite place in the world.
Her favorite holiday was Halloween when she enjoyed giving candy to neighborhood children and admiring their costumes.
Diane is survived by her husband, Tom, of the home; a sister, Janice Nichols; nephew, Jamie Nichols; and niece, Janina Nichols of Wilkes County, North Carolina; five brothers-in-law; a sister-in-law, and their families. A brother, Ronnie, and her parents preceded her in death. She grew up in the Pentecostal Holiness faith and also attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Wilkesboro.
A Diane requested, no memorial service will be held. Her wish was to be cremated with her ashes scattered on Mt. Jefferson in North Carolina where she was married. The family will have private gathering this weekend.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Humane Society and Petsmart Charities.