Ms. Diane Gissendanner

Ms. Diane Gissendanner, “Lady Di”, Diane G”, smiled as she was greeted by the angels was and flew to her Heavenly Home. Our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, “NaNa”, aunt and friend went home to be with the Lord on July 21, 2019 at the age of 70 years. Diane was born June 11, 1949 in Austin, Texas to Doris and Sterling Wilson, Sr. She moved to Saginaw, MI with her family at a young age, where she excelled and became a proud graduate of Saginaw High School, “Class of 1967”. Diane was a very beautiful woman who took pride in her everyday appearance. This landed her into becoming a model in Saginaw and California. She acquired her cosmetology license in 1985 from Moje Cosmetology School in Saginaw, MI where she specialized in brows and lashes. She overcame many obstacles during her life and it was evident in the way she lived. Diane G., as she was affectionately known, was a 32-year recovery success, with no relapses. She was a pillar in the Sobriety Community. She was the first woman on the board of the Unity Club in Saginaw, MI, and also was the first woman and African American to sponsor recovering women in the Tri-City area. Diane also had the most sponsees’ on the hierarchy of sobriety, and was proud of her accomplishments, as her family was also of her. Diane always said, “Work your steps”, which she truly believed to remain clean and sober. Diane was active in the Gospel Chorus at Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. T.J. London where she was known for playing the maracas. She truly loved the Lord, and let it shine in the work she accomplished and help that she gave. A very extraordinary woman with the gift of being a brilliant speaker, advisor, counselor, and professional stylist, she used her abilities to not only make you “FEEL BETTER, but BE BETTER!” Diane is survived by her mother, Sis. Doris Bothuel; two children, Quangi Glenn and Andre (Angelica) Gissendanner; the love of her life of 47 years, Andre Barkley, Sr.; sisters, Cornelia Faye Presley, Deborah (Vaughn) Murray both of Saginaw, and Stella Wilson of Austin, TX; brothers, Cavin, Michael and Sterling Wilson all of Los Angeles, CA; nine grandchildren, Desirae, Trynae (Anthony), Davion, Sunasza Dominique, Marquanae, Dreana, Drevion, Andre, Jr; 12 great-grandchildren; cousins, Annie Dugan, Saginaw, Douglas, Gail, Michelle, Dee Cunningham all of Ann Arbor, MI; god-sister, Gwendolen Bond, St. Peters, MO. She is also survived by Ms. Barbara Barkley, “Ma Barkley”, whom she also cherished and loved dearly along with the entire Barkley and Gissendanner families; best friends/sisters, and Ride or Dies, Carrolle Beverly and Ernestine Wiggins; a host of brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews, whom she held close to her heart, too numerous to name. The entire Sobriety Community of the Tri-City and surrounding areas has truly lost a diamond. Ms. Diane Gissendanner was greeted at Heavens’ Gates by her daughter, Doris; father, Sterling Wilson Sr.; aunts, Dorothy Varie and Annie Lee; Rev. John Nichols, “Pops”, and Rev. E.W. Bothuel, “Dad” and a cousin, Norma J. Pearson. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 810 Cathay Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48601. Pastor Blake Strozier, Host Pastor. Bishop Larry Camel will officiate with interment in BV Cemetery, 612 S. Airport Rd., Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Tuesday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. with Family Hour taking place from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Ms. Diane Gissendanner

June 11, 1949 - July 21, 2019