On April 22, 1950, a daughter, the second child, was born to Homer Paul and Laura Mae Burson in Delta, Colorado. She weighed 9 pounds and had a head of unruly, black hair which is why her daddy called her his little "Indian baby." At that time, the family didn't know of their Indian Heritage. She was named Diana Eileen Burson.
When she was 10, her family moved to Oklahoma and eventually to the small community of Tailholt, which became the home of her heart, her church and her family. However, almost every year she became "homesick" for Colorado and loved to vacation there- where nature's splendor renewed her soul and her confidence in God's magnificence. She always excelled in school and graduated with honors from Tahlequah High School in 1968.
In 1966, she was baptized into the Church of the Firstborn by Brother George Sweet. From this time forward, living the FAITH became her first priority.
On January 29, 1970, she married George Mitchell Sanders and God blessed their union with three children (the joy of their life) Marcia Ramona, Melissa Joleene, and John Mitchell. Their children by marriage are Troy Sweet, Sean Sweet and Mandie Johnson Sanders. God fulfilled more of their dreams when Troy and Marcia Sweet were blessed with Levi Cameron, Benjamin Troy, Hannah Mae and Emelia Dallas. Sean and Melissa were blessed with Ian Seth and Abi Saige. Mitchell and Mandie were blessed with Haylee Dawn, Caitlyn Lea, and Noah George Mitchell Sanders. Besides God, her family was her greatest joy.
Diana loved vacationing and camping with her family. She also enjoyed cooking, sewing and making quilts for them. She was a great wife, mama & Grandma. Music brought her so much comfort. she enjoyed singing and listening to music. She loved listeing to her children and grandchildren (by birth and marriage) signing and playing their instruments and was so thankful for their great musical talents. Diana received tremendous joy to generously give and to feed her family, friends, neighbors and loved ones. She loved all of her in-laws as if they were her own flesh and blood.
Diana departed this life on June 11, 2020 at her home in Welling. She was preceded in death by her mother; Laura Mae Gerken Burson, her daddy; Homer Paul Burson and her brother; Gene LaVerle Burson, Father and Mother in law; John and Viola Sanders, Sister and Brother in law; Sue and Jerry Swarer and Brother in law; Darrel Scott.
She is survived by her husband; George Mitchell of the home, her children; Troy and Marcia Sweet, Sean and Melissa Sweet and Mitchell and Mandie Sanders all of Welling, her grandchildren; Levi, Benjamin, Hannah & Emelia Sweet of Welling, Ian and Abi Sweet of Welling, Keaton and Haylee Sloan of Washington, and Caitlyn and Noah George Sanders of Welling and a great grand baby on the way. Sisters; Cheryl Ann and husband Leon Taylor, Judith Arlene and husband Larry Glory, Lynette Jean and husband Johnny Studie, Karen Burson, all of Welling, Nancy Renee' and husband Conn Swezey of Washington. Brothers; Paul Allen and wife Denise Burson, Duane Leroy and wife Helen Burson both of Welling, Sisters & Brothers in law; Mary Scott of Stilwell, Kaye and Jim McManus, Sharon and Vernon Bailiff all of Welling, and a dear Uncle Walt. Aunt Di had a host of nieces, great nieces, great nephews, and even great-great nieces and nephews, many brethren, friends and neighbors.