Margie Diane was born in Lancaster County, South Carolina on January 14. 1945, Her parents were Junius and Margie Bell Martin and she was the fourth of five girls.
She grew up and lived most of her younger years, graduating from Eau Claire High school she met on a blind date and subsequently married Ben Gonzales. They married November 6. 1965. and had just celebrated 60 years of marriage, They got married while Ben was in special forces training and subsequently assigned to Fort Hood upon accepting a commission as a lieutenant. Diane was a devoted military wife and followed her husband from pillar to post over the course of 30 years, Their assignments ranged from Fort Knox to Washington.
In 1984, they had the opportunity to move to Australia. In the capital of Canberra for six months, and subsequently to teach as a professor at Fort Queencliff, south below Melbourne. Returning to Washington in 1985. Diane worked in the hospitality services until 1988 when the decision to retire from the military was made and she and her family moved to Roswell, Georgia where Diane then went on to work for ATC for 20 years until she retired.
Diane and Ben had two children Jennifer and Ben, Their son, Ben, passed away in 1996. They have three grandsons George, Jack, and Tom Graham. Diane enjoyed spending time and celebrating milestones with her grandchildren. She was one of five girls. Her last surviving sibling is Tina Yandle of St. Matthews, SC.
Diane loved retirement. She played tennis for many years and was a team player in winning a City trophy. She and Ben traveled the world on extended cruises and trips to Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania and many other countries – they saw it all, She loved murder mysteries, especially British ones that she watched with her daughter Jennifer. Reading was a passion and she constantly shared what books she was into with others. She was a dedicated, loyal friend who took joy in going out to lunch with friends she had for decades.
Diane loved life and her family and friends and that's what we'll cherish about her always. She loved others with always a positive word for all.