Diane Mullis Fisher

Natalie Princess Diane Mullis Fisher, of Charlotte, NC, died on February 26, 2025, at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, following several years of declining health. Diane was born in Mt. Pleasant, NC, on September 13, 1939. She was the youngest of seven children born to Brady Pernay Mullis and Foye Thomas Mullis and was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School (where her classmates voted her “friendliest”) and the Cabarrus Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.

In 1958, Diane married her high school sweetheart, James C. (Jim) Fisher, Jr., and their marriage continued until Jim’s death in 2002. Diane was a faithful and loyal wife to Jim throughout their marriage, supporting him in his various business and civic endeavors and attending to him during the illness that led to his death. 

Diane worked in the nursing field in Cabarrus County for a period of time prior to the arrival of her three sons, Jimmy, Todd and Danny. Following the arrival of children, Diane devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family, to whom she was unconditionally committed. She was a model mother and grandmother, nurturing and supporting her children and grandchildren in all of their activities and consistently being present for them in every way possible. Over the years, she attended countless sporting events, hikes, camping trips, canoe and kayaking trips and other activities of her children and grandchildren. Whatever drew the attention of her children and grandchildren also became her focus.

Diane also loved her extended family members and friends, and she was universally loved and respected by all of them. She epitomized the charm and grace of a classic Southern Lady. Everyone who had the good fortune to know Diane was blessed by her “servant” attitude and approach directed to them individually and to life in general. She was kind, gentle, selfless, humble, gracious, and giving, always seeking ways to enrich the lives of those in her orbit and rarely focusing on herself. She traveled multiple times a week to Mt. Pleasant over the course of several years to nurse and comfort siblings who had extended illnesses prior to their deaths.

Diane was a passionate and engaged advocate for the mentally ill, having been involved in the founding of Mecklenburg Open Door, Inc. and having been active in the Charlotte chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In 1991, Diane was a charter member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (now Good Shepherd Church) in Charlotte.

Diane was an extraordinarily-talented cook and baker, delighting especially in preparing and sharing with others her signature pecan pies, apple pies, cherry yum-yum treats, goodie bars, pumpkin bread, hummingbird cake, red velvet cake and other delectables. Her hummingbird cake won the “best cake” award in a Belk South Park 1990’s baking competition, something her children were and are very proud of and a fact that she never mentioned. 

When faced with adversities, Diane was resolute and stoic, never complaining about her circumstances and bearing the challenges and pain while maintaining her normal good humor, poise and attitude. She inspired all who knew her with her approach to dealing with the difficulties life threw in her path.

Diane loved animals immensely, and they reciprocated with their affection and devotion to her. Over the years, the Fisher home was host to a cat, a number of birds, many dogs and an assortment of other animals. Diane bestowed her normal extra dose of love and attention on all of the animals, enjoying their companionship and nurturing them. No doubt, she is surrounded by all of her beloved pets in Heaven. 

During the last decade of Jim’s life, Diane and Jim designed and built their mountain dream home in Blowing Rock. It became the setting for many large gatherings of family and friends and was a source of great happiness to Diane and Jim. 

Following Jim’s death, Todd and his family and Danny ensured that Diane had many opportunities to travel for vacations and to visit with friends and family. She enjoyed those times and experiences immensely, and many happy memories were created for her survivors to cherish.

In addition to her husband and her parents, Diane was predeceased by her oldest son, James C. (Jimmy) Fisher, III, and by all of her siblings, Brady Mullis, Ned Mullis, Ruby Mullis, Charlie Mullis, Kay Mullis Smith and Diana Mullis Swicegood. Diane is survived by her sons, Todd A. Fisher and his wife Elizabeth and Daniel L. (Danny) Fisher, all of Charlotte, NC; by her grandchildren Zoë Fisher and Luke Fisher, both of Raleigh, NC, and by numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews. 

Diane’s physical presence will be missed greatly by her family and friends. Her family is grateful for the long life she had and for the many blessings she bestowed on them; her family also offers thanks to God for the gift of her life and for her strong Christian faith and salvation.

A funeral service celebrating Diane’s life will be held at Good Shepherd Church at 13110 Moss Rd., Charlotte, NC 28273 at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, preceded by a visitation at the church from 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church located at 100 St. John’s Church Road, Concord, NC. Diane will be laid to rest beside Jim and Jimmy in her family’s plot.

Diane’s family wishes to express its deepest gratitude for the loving care provided to Diane during her final years by her health care and other care providers (who enriched the quality of her life significantly) and during her final days by the Hospice nurses at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. 

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests that those wishing to make a contribution in Diane’s memory consider making a gift to Diane’s church, Good Shepherd Church, 13110 Moss Rd., Charlotte, NC 28273: Attn: Gifts - In Memory of Diane Fisher, or to any other charitable organization that is dear to the donor.