Dianne Marie (Morris) Stephens

Dianne Marie Stephens, beloved mother, grandmother, wife and retired nurse, returned home to her family, friends and heavenly father on February 26, 2025.

Mrs. Stephens was born February 17, 1948, and grew up in New Zion, SC, the youngest child to Harrison McCullum Morris and Janie Marie Barker Morris. She graduated from East Clarendon High School in 1966 and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of South Carolina in 1970. During her junior year of nursing school, she married Benjamin Robert Stephens of Charleston, SC. She worked as an RN in Greenville, Charleston and Columbia before retiring from DHEC. She brought her enormous compassion, kindness and gentle approach to all of her duties. She particularly loved the elderly and strove to see, hear and respect them.

She adored her grandchildren dearly and her eyes would light up when she heard their voices. She spent her time on earth generously taking care of others, physically and emotionally, making them feel seen and loved. She was beautiful, inside and out.

She was a loyal friend, a generous sister, a fun-loving wife, a gentle grandmother, a hardworking employee, an incredible mother and so much more. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Laura Jane Stephens Dieter and son-in-law William Robert Dieter and two grandsons, Frederick Robert Dieter and Benjamin Walter Dieter of Portland, Oregon.

Other survivors include a brother, Roger William Morris and his wife Della Morris of Charleston, SC; a sister, Linda Morris Ross and her late husband, David C. Ross of Dalzell, SC; and two sisters-in-law, Betty P. Morris of West Columbia, SC and Ann H. Morris of Centre, Alabama; as well as many nieces and nephews.

 In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband and life-long companion, Benjamin Robert Stephens; a stillborn daughter; her brothers Judge James McCullum Morris married to his first wife, the late Dorothy E. Coleman and his second wife, the late Martha Pierce Morris, Harry Lee Morris married to the late Lola H. Morris, Olin Franklin Morris Sr. married to Ann H. Morris, Don Harvey Morris married to Betty P. Morris; half-brother Edward Eula Morris married to the late Adelle Reardon; sisters Wanna Mary M. Boykin Elliott and her late husband Bill Boykin, Doris M. Hyde Wheeler married to her first husband, the late Earl M. Hyde and her second husband, the late Jack A. Wheeler and adopted sister Claudia Belle D. Hamby.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to her care manager Susan Black of Columbia, SC, former care manager Virginia (Jenny) James of Dalzell, SC, the staff at Palmettoes of Parklane, her daily caregivers and Empyrean Hospice.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 am at New Zion Methodist Church Cemetery with Pastor David Deming officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to: Alzheimer's Association SC Chapter 4600 Park Road Ste 250, Charlotte, NC 28209 

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

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