Obituaries

Dianne Clemens

Photo of Dianne Clemens Photo of Dianne Clemens
Dianne Clemens, born to William and Frances Pierpaoli Dillon on January 9,1949, went home to be with the Lord on March 15, 2018 surrounded by a packed roomful of immediate and extended family. She was co-owner of Madison Commercial Properties, Inc. with her husband Tommy Clemens. Dianne was a 1967 graduate of Mt. St. Mary's Academy and worked for years at William F. Laman Library beginning in high school alongside her late aunt, the librarian, Pat /Patsy Pierpaoli O'Bannon, and retired from Stephens, Inc. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Park Hill Baptist Church. From her early teen years, Dianne was an avid Razorback fan and the outside world stopped when there was a game to attend or watch on TV. She was a member of the Road Hog Fans and loved to tailgate with friends and call those hogs! Traveling nationally and internationally was something she loved to do with her husband Tommy as well as working alongside him 24/7. They loved spending time with friends and family wherever they were and traveling in their motor home to Razorback games and to winter during their retirement in Naples, Florida. Dianne was an excellent cook; liked to crappie fish, dance, eat out, and take care of their family and properties; attend family special events and celebrations; and be at home with Tommy watching sports in their recliners and tending to her plants and flowers in their yard. They talked and acted like newlyweds with each other and he proposed to her daily at restaurants making an engagement ring out of the straw wrapper. She so loved that ritual and immediately said yes EVERY time without a moment's thought! Dianne loved her family deeply and was loved dearly by her family and friends and immediately loved by anyone who met her. She leaves behind her husband Tommy Clemens of Sherwood just before their 28th anniversary and knowing one another for 30 years. He treated her like a queen and lovingly and selflessly cared for her every need in sickness and in health for those 30 years. There was nothing he would not do for her, and he did that and more every day. They were the love of one another's lives and never liked to be apart. Her departure leaves an irreplaceable void for Tommy as his wife and best friend as they both chose to spend 24/7 with one another. Dianne leaves behind her precious and well-spoiled dog Abby to keep Tommy company and bring him comfort. She also leaves behind her daughter Lisa Smedley of Greenbrier and Tommy Clemens, Jr. of Sherwood whom she loved with all of her heart. She was Grammy to her three precious grandchildren - Madison and Hayden Smedley of Greenbrier and Kailee Clemens of Sherwood. Her parents, Bill and Betty Dillon loved her and will miss her dearly. She loved, honored, and adored her precious father. Her two brothers, Randy (Cathy) Dillon of Sherwood and Jon (Liz) Dillon of Lakewood Ranch, Florida and her sister Sandy (David) Ray of North Little Rock will also miss her very much. When she was 18 years old, Dianne became not only a sister to Randy and Sandy, but became a second mother to them at the ages of 10 and eight by assisting her father before, during, and after the death of their mother during the summer after her high school graduation. She made sure they never lacked the love of a mother, anything they needed, transported them to and from their grandmother's homes and sporting events, always attended special events in their lives and the lives of their children, taught them to drive a car, and way too many things to mention here. Dianne had a special bond with her aunt Betty Ann (Betty Pierpaoli Scarbrough) that was more like a sister to her. They enjoyed doing lots of things together from childhood to the present including tap dancing side by side doing their shuffle ball chain as well as singing "How Much is That Doggie in the Window" from their childhood and giggling together. Dianne was preceded in death by her mother, Frances Pierpaoli Dillon and her grandparents, Julio and Ida Pierpaoli, Bennie and Ruth Dillon, and Alice McCollum. She also leaves behind many, many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. from the Clemens, Dillon, and Pierpaoli families that she loved and that loved her. What a precious gift to each family, and she will be dearly missed at each and every family event. Dianne was one of the kindest and most loving and person you'd ever meet. Everyone she met would form an immediate bond with her. To know her was to love her. The family wishes to thank the medical professionals at LR Baptist Medical Center especially her phenomenal, skilled, and compassionate nurses on ICU South - Jordan, Raissa, Aquiria, and Rachelle. Jordan and Rachelle, your presence, skill, and extra special touch and care were a gift from God to Dianne, Tommy, and our entire family during this difficult time in our lives. To say thank you and that we tremendously appreciate you both would be an understatement. Pallbearers will be her son Tommy Clemens Jr., her grandson, Hayden Smedley, her brothers, Randy Dillon and Jon Dillon; her nephews, Ryan Dillon and Micah Ray; her uncle, Jack Scarbrough, and special friends, Billy Smith, Bill Monk, Harold Lierly, Tom Mahar, and Dr. Steve Clift. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at NLR Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Park Hill Baptist Church (NLR) with internment following at Rest Hills Memorial Park in Sherwood. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. or Park Hill Baptist Church in NLR. Please visit online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

Published March 17, 2018

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