Diane Hardison

Diane Sorrell Hardison, 65, of 3101 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh, NC formally of Benson, NC, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2011 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC.  A memorial celebration will be held Tuesday, July 19 at 3 PM in Benson United Methodist Church. Reverends Dan Earnhardt and Ron Patton will officiate. Diane was born on September 18, 1945 in Harnett County to Hazel Gunter Sorrell of Benson and the late Willie Thomas Sorrell, Jr. Diane graduated from Benson High School in 1963.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, NC in 1968.  After working as a public school teacher for three years, she received a full scholarship to East Carolina University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Mental Retardation.  She created and taught the multiple handicapped class at Vinson-Bynum Elementary School in Wilson until 1975, when she became the Director of Exceptional Children’s Programs in Wilson County.  In 1984, Diane earned her Education Specialist Degree in Supervision from East Carolina.  Because Diane developed so many programs for children with learning disabilities, autism, mental handicaps, and behavioral problems, as well as programs for academically gifted children, she was named the Outstanding Special Education Administrator by the NC Council of Special Education in 1994.  In addition, Wilson County also named her the 1994 Outstanding Educator of the Year.  She continued to excel as she was named the National CASE Outstanding Administrator in 1975.  She retired from Wilson County Schools in 1997. After leaving Wilson County, Diane served as a regional consultant in special education at East Carolina University.  She also taught a seminar on current laws governing special education students and supervised three student teachers.  Diane served in this position until 1999, when she contracted with NC Central University to evaluate training schools in detention centers for the Office of Juvenile Justice. In July of 1999, Diane returned to Benson to become the executive director for the Benson Children’s Home.  In 2004, Diane worked for Johnston County Schools as a Special Education Program Specialist, serving six schools, until she was diagnosed in 2008 with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Diane is survived by her daughter, MeAnn Parker and fiancé, Sam Fulcher of Wilmington, NC; her mother Hazel Gunter Sorrell of Raleigh, NC; two brothers, W.T. Sorrell III and wife Helen of Valdese, NC, Todd Sorrell and wife Ruth of Fuquay-Varina, NC;  five sisters, Kay Sorrell Painter and husband Tony of Clayton, NC, Betsy Sorrell Smith and husband Mike of Kernersville, NC, Martha Sorrell McLamb and husband Tony of Benson, NC, Marilyn Sorrell Kinsey and husband Fred of Albemarle, NC, Vivian Sorrell Britt and husband Tom of Mocksville, NC; twelve nieces and nephews, and six great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 PM, Monday, July 18 at Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Benson. Family will also receive guests at the home of Diane’s mother, 210 West Woodall Street in Benson, as well as in the church fellowship hall following the service.  Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be made to the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC and to the ALS Association Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter in Raleigh, NC.