"WE LOVE YOU, BUT GOD LOVES YOU BEST"

Mrs. Lena Diana Taft Stanley was born on November 21, 1962, in Craven County, North Carolina, to the late Robert Ford Taft and the late Bertha Allen Harper Taft. She attended Martin County school and graduated from the former Roanoke High School, now South Creek High School in Robersonville, NC, in 1980.

After marriage, Lena made her home in Pitt County. She worked in the local textile industry and later at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC, where she was employed for a decade until an injury led her to step away. Lena cherished her family deeply, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed watching her favorite television shows, browsing the aisles of Walmart, and was an avid music lover.

Lena accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was a devoted member of Holly Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Belvoir, NC. She loved worshiping with her church family and singing in the choir.

Lena was preceded in death by siblings Sydney Harper (Harriett), Arthur "Pig" Taft (Catherine), Helena Taft, Cherry Lee Harper (infant), Frederick Carl Taft (Deborah), and John Robert Taft.

Lena leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted husband of 43 years, Willie Mack Stanley, Sr. of Greenville, NC; her daughter, Jennifer Marlene Taft (Glenwood) of Grifton, NC; her son, Willie Maurice Stanley, Jr. of Tarboro, NC; and her treasured grandchildren, Trelvon Zentavius Harris (Kristina) of Winterville, NC, and Marionna Bryant of Tarboro, NC. One great grandson Kaydence Harris from Winterville, N.C.Lena also survived by her siblings: Mable Sims (Ervin) of Memphis, TN, and Gwendolyn Inez Taft of Greenville, NC; her special nieces: Therine Vartina Taft , Tandi Wallace and LaBertha Broadie, Tadahfia Wallace and Tellia Wallace and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Lena Diana Taft Stanley will be remembered for her loving heart, her warm spirit, and the joy she brought to everyone around her. Her memory will live on forever in the hearts of all who loved her.

A service of Love and Care, Entrusted to Mitchell's Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
5426 Front Lane, Ayden, N.C. 28513.