Edna Dianne Bartlette

Edna Dianne Bartlette was born June 11, 1953, in Powhatan, VA to Martha Bartlette Henley.

Dianne as she was affectionately known, was baptized and accepted Christ at an early age. She was a true "child of God.." Her faith played a major role in her life and many of her activities centered around the church and gospel music.

She attended Powhatan County Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1971. Following graduation, she attended Virginia Union University. She became a trained paralegal and worked with law firms in the Richmond area.

Dianne had a tremendous desire for knowledge and never stopped searching for information. Many years ago, she became an amateur genealogist, searching her families roots and along the way found and befriended new family members from all races and backgrounds. One windy fall day, she joined a group of cousins on a trek through woods, over streams, under fences and through overgrown weeds and brush on a search to locate the homestead where she grew up. The effort was a success. She loved researching so much that access to the internet was critical when making a decision as to where to live.

Dianne was an outgoing individual and maintained many lifelong friends dating back to her classmates. She was member of a social group called "The Golden Girls." She was aware of local events in her community and an active participant in civic efforts to improve the community.

She was preceded in death by her mother and brother Jerome Henley .

She Leaves to cherish fond memories, a brother, James Edward Henley (Miriam) and a sister, Melcine Taliaferro, a host of nephews, nieces, cousins (several devoted), other relatives, and faithful friends.

Tribute to Dianne

By Cousin Whitney Butler

My mortal soul weeps and mourns. My fellow Rifleman fan cousin has left this realm. All illness and infirmities are no more. All that remains is that "loaner" resting in the mortuary. She has traded it in for that eternal and incorruptible body required to be a permanent resident of the Heavenly Kingdom of the Almighty. I have no doubt that she heard the storied "well done good and faithful servant" and was granted entry by St. Peter and Gabriel at the Pearly Gates. Well done Dianne. I shall meet you there upon my appointed time. My spirit man rejoices for you and supplants my mortal mourning. After all, you have attained the ultimate human aspiration, to transcend mortality and be with our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit comfort us who still seek heaven, and in due season, replace grief with God's precious gift of memories. Amen.

I Made It Home

I just wanted to let you know

that I made it home.

The journey wasn't an easy one,

but it didn't take too long

Everything is so pretty here,

so white, so fresh and new.

I wish that you all could close your

Eyes and that you could see it too.

Please try not to be sad for me.

Try to understand God is taking care of me…

I'm in the shelter of his hands.

Here there is no sadness, no sorrow,

and no pain.

Here there is no crying

and I'll never hurt again.

Here it is so peaceful when all the angels sing.

I really have to go for now…

I've just got to try my wings.