Southern Gospel music Dianne Wilkinson passed away peacefully on November 30th. She was 77 years-old. Dianne was an accomplished gospel musician, composing and recording over 1,000 gospel songs throughout her career. In late December 2016, she wrote her 1,000th song titled "Just Another Mile", and it was recorded in January 2017 by the Kingdom Heirs.  

Rodney Griffin shares: "Today I'll be thinking alot about the legacy of my sweet friend, Dianne Wilkinson, who moved on to heaven last night. Imagine her joy...writing the words, "We shall see Jesus just as He is" so many years ago, and then seeing Him in all His glory and perfection for the first time last night.

She will always be the standard by which songwriters from this era will be measured. She had it all...from inspiration of a song, to completion of it. There is no one else more prolific, even through her golden years. Always celebrating the Lord...and always encouraging the saints, that was Dianne.And now she's there. We will miss you, sweet friend! But, we promise to see you soon!"

Dianne Wilkinson was born Dianne Branscum, in Blytheville, Arkansas.She has a long storied career as a southern gospel songwriter for many artists, and she even got a nomination at the 46th GMA Dove Awards, in the Songwriter of the Year non-artist category. She was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2020

Dianne is survived by her brothers, Jim Branscum and his wife Sondra of Dyersburg, Tennessee and Ron Branscum of Detroit, Michigan; sisters, Lillie Ann Tolly and her husband Johnny of Denton, Texas and Shirley Privett; niece, Rachel Payton and her husband Sean of Dyersburg, Tennessee and nephew, John Mark Branscum and his wife Cami of Chapel Hill, Tennessee; and great-nieces and nephews, Aeris, Kourtney, Lauren, Brandon, Colton, Jordan, Briley, Makenzy and Sean, Jr.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 7th at 1:00 p.m. at Springhill Baptist Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee with Rev. Jim Branscum officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 until service time at Springhill Baptist Church. There will be visitation at Cobb Funeral Home Monday evening, December 6th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Burial will be Wednesday, December 8th at 10:00 a.m. in Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Wall of Grace Ministries, 2051 Cedar Street, McKenzie, Tennessee, 38201.

 

 

 

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