Diane Lynn Lunsford

Heaven is graced with the addition of a beautiful soul. With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Diane Lynn Lunsford (Hamilton), at age 66. Proudly as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt, and loyal friend, Diane left us to be with Jesus on July 25, 2024. She was born on August 11, 1957 to Homer and Patricia Hamilton in Las Cruces, NM. When she was 3 years old, Homer remarried and she was raised by her grandmother, Mary Hamilton, Homer and his wife Beverly. Beverly became the mother that Diane loved and counted on. Diane attended school at Mayfield High School. Later in life she returned to School at NMSU where she received a Nursing Degree in 1994. Diane was recognized on the Dean’s List and as a Crimson Scholar earning a GPA of 4.0. She had many life adventures, her most recent is mother to Skyla. Skyla was placed into the care of Diane and her husband Gregg when she was 6 years old and they have been her parents since that day. Skyla, now 14 years old, was one of the greatest joys for Diane and she loved the opportunity to raise and love Skyla. Diane has been a bookkeeper, bartender, food server, retail salesperson, truck driver and much more. When she was 16 she was a candy striper at Memorial Medical Hospital. Diane is a member of East Mesa Baptist Church where she volunteered her time at the free thrift store hosted by the church. She enjoyed sewing, camping, traveling and photography. She lived in various places including Truth or Consequences, NM; Winston, NM; Tucson, AZ and Orlando, FL. She eventually returned to Las Cruces where she lived until her passing. Diane grew up with her sisters Peggy, Mary and Dana. Together the four had a strong bond and they fiercely loved one another. Diane was instrumental in helping raise her sisters. She was their biggest cheerleader!

 Diane is survived by her husband Gregg Lunsford, daughter Skyla Bloomquist of Las Cruces, sons Justin Hastie of AZ, Gage Lunsford of WV and granddaughter Kaylee Hastie of NC. Also her fur babies Chief, Felix and Shadow. Other survivors include her Mother Beverly Hamilton, sister Mary Garcia both of T or C, NM, Paternal Uncle Douglas Hamilton (Glynda), Maternal Aunt Brenda Carrillo, Mother in law Audrey T. Lunsford, Sister in law Gwen Lunsford (Robert) and Brother in law Bruce Lunsford (Clare), Nieces Shanna Mirabal, Sheena Benavidez, Amanda Crego, Celina Melendrez, Daysha Wagenhoffer and Robin Wagenhoffer. Nephews Chase Blood and TJ Melendrez. Diane’s additional siblings from her Mother Pat’s marriages: Patty and Betty Hudman, David and Judd Johnson. Diane is also survived by numerous cousins and the many people who graced her doorstep and called her “Mom”. 

 Diane was preceded in death by all three sets of grandparents, her Father Homer Hamilton, her Mother Patricia Johnson, her little sisters Peggy Hamilton and Dana Wagenhoffer, brother in law Jerry Garcia. Her Aunts Patsy, Ginny Donnie, Mildred and Norma. Her Uncles Bill, Raymond, Johnnie, Joe and Richard. 

 A  memorial service for Diane will be held August 17th at 4:00 PM. at East Mesa Baptist Church. The address is 6160 Moongate Rd. corner of Bataan Memorial West. Finger food and fellowship to follow. 

 2 Timothy 4:7-8 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.