We have gathered here today because once again death has left its sting. Death is often looked upon as being something to fear or resent. However, a righteous death provides the comfort in knowing that God loves each of us more than we as humans are able to comprehend.

Life, death, and eternity are three of the most powerful words in the English language. Life is given to us in infancy, and we are to care for it and preserve it as far as we are able until our death. Death is basically a rite of passage that we must all accept in order to enter into the glory and majesty of God.

On November 19, 2022, Loretta Dianne Byers Lewis of 249 Branchwood Circle, Kings Mountain, NC, gained her eternal heavenly address. Our beloved mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many now resides in the arms of Jesus Christ. Dianne was the second born child and first daughter of the late Rome Jr. and Maggie Littlejohn Byers. She was the granddaughter of the late Rome Byers Sr. and Eria Webber Byers as well as the late Ebb and Mariah Manning Littlejohn.

Dianne was preceded by her older brother Donald Byers (deceased) and, in turn, welcomed five younger siblings into the family: Doris Sandra Byers, Randene Byers Odems, Michele Duane Byers, all residents of Kings Mountain, NC, as well as Donna Kim Dougan (Bryan) and Ronald Dean Byers who both reside within Gastonia, NC.

Dianne was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Kenneth Walter Lewis; she is survived by her sons Tony Andre Lewis and Richard W. Lewis (Deanna), granddaughter Jazmine Dominique Lewis Flowers (Dwayne), grandsons Elijah Ken Rigaud, Quadere Andre Lewis, and Benjamin Hagler. She is also survived by her sisters and brothers, along with her beloved nieces and nephews.

Dianne was loved by so many people. God gifted her with wisdom early in life and that gift allowed her to bless others with her insights. Her intelligence, wit, and willingness to be the voice of dissent, was some of the many attributes that were admired about her. Each of us can remember a conversation where sage advice, a firm reprimand, and/or a sincere prayer was freely offered.

She loved her family and took her role as older sister seriously. She believed in order and that everything should be done properly. As a young mother, she made sure that her boys were taken of and, as an older sibling; she became a mother-figure and mentor to her family as well. She was a faithful steward and believed that it was the responsibility of the church to serve as a light to her community. She will be missed. There will never be another Dianne, and we will remember her with love as well as respect for the impact she had on us all.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Burial will take place at church cemetery. She can be viewed at Enloe Mortuary from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM and at the church from 2:30 PM until 3:00 PM on Wednesday.