Obituary of Dianne McLeod Hadley

A celebration of life service will be held at Aiken’s First Baptist Church on Thursday, October 27th for Dianne McLeod Hadley.  The Reverend Dr. Fred W. Andrea III and Rev. John Carroll will officiate.

Dianne was born March 29, 1947 in Dothan, Alabama. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Carolyn Barcroft McLeod. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Troy University, Troy, Alabama being named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1976. She became a Health Systems Specialist with the Department of the Army retiring from the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. after 35 years of service. Dianne was often heard to say how much she loved working outside her home and what a great career she had.

Dianne seldom met a stranger, but if she did, they didn’t stay that way for long. She could be counted on for advice or a much-needed laugh, and she loved to laugh. Dianne loved everything southern: a clean house, an immaculate yard, and marking things off her list. She loved golf, a game she didn’t take up until her 50’s. Dianne loved Aiken and often said she and Tom had found the perfect place to retire. Whether traveling, shopping, having lunch with friends, or promoting a favorite cause, Dianne always had a smile for everyone. She loved introducing her friends to each other. Dianne’s favorite place was wherever her family and friends were.

She is survived by her loving husband, Tom Wilcox, one beloved son Keith Hadley (Dawn) of Richmond Hill, GA and two adored grandsons, Hunter Hadley (Rachael) of Atlanta, GA and Jake Hadley (Aubrey Steele) of Richmond Hill, GA. Two dear sisters, Gayle (David) Parsons of Dothan, Alabama and Karen Parks (Kirby) of Huntsville, Alabama. Three stepsons, Tom Wilcox (Marian) of Shreveport, LA, Tim Wilcox (Suzie) of Shreveport, LA, and Bob Wilcox (Sophia) of Bastrop, TX. Five step granddaughters, Jordan, Madeline, Ivy, Lexie and Jayden Wilcox, and two great-grandchildren, Kenleigh and Zeke Wilcox. A sister-in-law and brother-in-law,  Margaret and Pete Wilcox of Aiken, and a brother-in-law, Terry Malloy of Gainesville, FL.  Dianne is also survived by an especially close cousin, Suzanne Cain Weinberg of Fernandina Beach, FL. In addition, Dianne is survived by many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, and their children.

Services for Dianne will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Aiken, 120 Chesterfield St. North, Aiken, SC 29801. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Interment services will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Pallbearers for Dianne include:  John Andrews, Earl Bennett, Ken Brace, Tom Calhoun, Marshall Gardner, Larry Haliki, Mike Morris and Mike Olson.  Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Aiken Women’s Heart Board and they are asked to meet at the church at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday morning and to wear red at Dianne’s request.  Also serving as Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Pink Ribbonettes.  They are asked to meet at the church at 10:30 on Thursday morning and Dianne asked that they wear pink.  Memorials may be made to the Aiken Women’s Heart Board, P.O. Box 5211, Aiken, SC 29802, or the First Baptist Church of Aiken, 120 Chesterfield St. North,  Aiken, SC 29801.

Dianne and her family want to thank the many friends and especially her sister-in-law, Margaret Wilcox, for all the love and many acts of kindness shown to her and Tom over the course of her illness.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 649.6234 has charge arrangements.

Online expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com