SPRUCE PINE — Diane Elaine Smoak Broadbent, age 69, of Spruce Pine, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 7, 2022, at Memorial Mission Hospital. Diane was born in St. Augustine, FL on February 14, 1953, to Fay and the late Herbert Smoak. In addition to her father, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Linda Smoak.
Diane grew up in Miami and began dating the love of her life Henry “Skip” Broadbent Jr. at age 14 and later married on April 20, 1974. She graduated from Jackson Memorial School of Nursing in 1974. She worked for 44 years as a registered nurse in multiple settings including cardiac and emergency medicine helping others.
Outside of work Diane was known for her incredible sewing and cake decorating skills. She also loved shopping, gifting others, music by Michael Bolton, and watching constant Hallmark Christmas movies much to the disdain her husband. Her true passion was doting on her five children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Diane is survived by her husband of 48 years, and children Summer (Derek) Carpenter, Kyle (Tammy) Broadbent, Holly (Chris) Horvat, Wendi (Josh) Wheeler, and Jared Broadbent. She is also survived by her mother and her siblings Charles Smoak, Daryl Smoak, and Sandra Bream as well as numerous loved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and loved ones two hours prior to the service from 12 to 2. Dr. Jack R. Hodges will be officiating. Private family burial will follow in the Smoak Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children at 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL 33607, and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis TN, 38105. Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Broadbent family.
Online condolences may be made at www.holcombebrothersfuneralhome.com