Dianne Gill

Dianne Gill, affectionately known by Pastor Macon as “Lady Di”, was born June 12, 1951 in Owensboro, KY to Ella Mae and Lemuel Gill. At the age of two, Dianne relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana where she was raised by her aunt Mary Hart, known as Aunt Ted or Mama.

Dianne attended grade school at Wallace Foster School #32 and graduated from Shortridge High School in 1969. She then attended nursing school at Wishard Hospital and received her Registered Nurse diploma. Dianne joined the United States Army, where she served as an operating room nurse. After an Honorable discharge from the Army, she furthered her nursing career by working in the operating room at the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. She also continued to serve in the military as a Reserve officer until 1996, when she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

She received her culinary certification through Second Helpings social service organization. Later, she attained her Culinary Associate’s Degree at Ivy Tech Community College.

Dianne loved her family very much. She had a great relationship with her brothers and sister in Indianapolis. She also enjoyed visiting with her other brothers and sisters in Evansville. Dianne loved spending Christmas Eve with her nieces and nephews in Indianapolis and was always on hand for any family event. She was always ready to celebrate or to help a loved one in any way she could.

She was a generous and enthusiastic volunteer. Dianne supported her friend and mentor, Chef Sam Brown, at Second Helpings and later at Wheeler Mission. She volunteered to help at numerous events, including funerals, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, church conferences, graduation parties, holidays and baby showers. She would show up with her knives, seasonings and apron, ready to work, then would stay until the last crumb was swept off the floor. Every minister who served at Allen Chapel AME Church gained at least 20 pounds from her food.

Dianne had an angelic voice. She sang in the Pilgrim Baptist Church Children’s Choir, Ebenezer Youth Choir, the Black Expo choir, Allen Chapel Mass Choir and the Annual Conference Choir.

She was baptized at Pilgrim Baptist Church, and she later attended Ebenezer Baptist Church. In her later years she joined Allen Chapel AME Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she served faithfully in the church militant, until she was called home by our Lord to serve in the church triumphant.

Dianne Gill departed this life on Friday, June 9, 2023 at the age of 71 years. Her parents, Ella Mae Lee Gill Rogers and Lemuel Gill; aunt, Mary A. Gill Hart; brothers: Larry Gill, Jerry Gill, Henry Allen Hart (Esther) and Thomas William Gill; sister, Mary Elizabeth Gill; sister-in-law, Karen Gill; and brother-in-law, George Mears all preceded her in death.

She is survived by her brothers, Ronald Garrett Gill (Evelyn) and Wallace Lee Gill (Cindy); sisters: Linda Jane Gill Russell (Karl), Sandra Kay Rogers Mears and Brenda Jean Rogers Bertinelli (Dan).

Dianne’s love extended beyond her brothers and sisters, several cousins, a host of nieces and nephews, including numerous great nieces and nephews. She also leaves a legacy with many friends and church family. We all loved her dearly. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.