Many in the community are mourning the loss of an influential lady, who spent her life in the service of Richmond County and its people.
Dr. Diane Honeycutt, of Hamlet, passed away on Thursday at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst at the age of 65.
She began her lifetime of service as a registrar at Richmond Community College, which was Richmond Technical Institute at the time.
JC Lamm, who was dean of the school when Honeycutt started, worked with her until his retirement.
“She and I worked together for years, and were good friends,” said Lamm. “She was the finest person I’ve ever known. She had genuine compassion, and would go above and beyond to help others. Her intent was actually to work with the school for a year, and go on to law school, but she loved being there. She found her niche, being able to help the students.”
“I first met Diane when my wife Donna and I were students at RTI in 1974,” said Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin. “We became very close friends over the years, and I eventually worked with her as a member of the Board of Trustees at the college. We worked together during the time that Cole Auditorium was built, on the Chamber of Commerce Board and I sponsored her as a Rotarian in the Rockingham Rotary Club.”
McLaurin said that all of his experiences working with Honeycutt were positive ones.
“She was a wonderful person who loved this community and loved her work,” he said. “She has left a legacy of good deeds and the importance of everyone working together. That’s what her life was really about. The success of the college and much of the success of our community was due, in large part, to her. Everyone at city hall joins with me to express our sympathy to her family. We mourn her loss, but remember what a positive difference she made for all of us.”
Over the years, Honeycutt served in various positions with RCC and, later, served as president of the college from 2001-2008.
“Diane Honeycutt’s commitment to Richmond Community College left a deep impression upon the college and community. For over 38 years, she put RCC and its students first in her life. During her tenure as president, we strengthened economic development partnerships with both counties that resulted in construction of the Honeycutt Center in Laurinburg and the upcoming expansion of the Forte Building on our Hamlet campus,” said RCC President Dale McInnis.
“She was key to the development of our early college high schools. The Grimsley Health Science Building was constructed while she was president, and the Cole Auditorium was constructed under her watch as Executive Vice President 10 years ago. She was a talented and unique individual who will be missed,” McInnis said.
In addition to the time she devoted to the college, Honeycutt made time for many other civil service involvements.
She was an active member of First United Methodist Church, and served on various committees. She was on the board of Discovery Place KIDS, a member of the Hamlet Woman’s Club and the Delta Kappa Gamma Tau chapter. She was on the Sandhills Regional Medical Center Board and Richmond County Social Services Board. Honeycutt was on the Lumber River Workforce Development, the Sandhills Childrens Center Board, and the Entre Nous Literary Club. She was a member of the Rockingham Rotary Club, Laurinburg/Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce, and others.
“She was the most selfless person I’ve ever known,” said Councilwoman Abbie Covington.
Covington served with Honeycutt on the Hamlet City Council, served with her at the college in many capacities and was a close friend.
“Diane devoted her life to causes to benefit others,” said Covington. “She has left behind a legacy of sacrifice, kindness, respect and consideration for her fellow man. She truly loved and cared about others, and never missed an opportunity to make a positive difference. She never let need go unnoticed, and she had a drive to leave the world a better place.”
Covington added that the prosperity of RCC was a joy to Honeycutt’s heart.
“The college is only growing because it’s being a service to others, which is everything she stood for,” said Covington. “She gave her life to that school and was happy to watch it grow and serve, even when she was no longer president.”
“Diane and I had some marvelous times, whether we were traveling together for work or for vacation,” said Covington. “We had the best conversations, and she loved to talk about the school. She was a devoted friend, and I will miss her.”
Honeycutt was currently serving on the Hamlet City Council. Her term extends to November 2013. Council has not discussed any plans for replacement at this time.
“Diane is an example of a true public servant,” said Hamlet City Manager Marchell Adams-David. “She has dedicated her entire life to improving our community and the lives of everyone she came into contact with. The City of Hamlet will miss her greatly.”
Honeycutt’s friends and family will gather for her funeral on Sunday. A complete obituary can be found on page 5A.
— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com.
Post a Comment
