Dianne Branscum Wilkinson

Dianne Branscum Wilkinson, 76, of Dyersburg, Tenn., and formerly of Blytheville, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, at her home.

Dianne was born in Blytheville to Marvin and Blanche Ross Branscum. She spent most of her life in the Blytheville community before moving to Dyersburg where she was a member of Springhill Baptist Church in the Nauvoo Community.

Dianne was an accomplished gospel musician, composing and recording over 1,000 gospel songs throughout her career. In late December 2016, she wrote her 1,000th song titled “Just Another Mile”, and it was recorded in January 2017 by the Kingdom Heirs. Her talent was apparent as she had 16 songs reach number one on the Singing News Chart, one number one song on the Bluegrass Gospel chart in 2016 and one number one song on the Cashbox Christian Country Chart in 2016. Throughout her career, Dianne was nominated for and awarded many awards for her songwriting. In 1984, her song “We Shall See Jesus” won the Southern GMA song of the year. “Jesus Has Risen” won the Singing News fan award for song of the year in 1995 and “What Salvation Has Done for Me” in 2009. In the year 2000, Dianne was nominated as SGMA Songwriter of the Year. She was so very honored for this nomination as she was the first woman to ever be nominated for this award. She was nominated for the fan-voted, non-professional Singing News songwriter of the year. This award was only given for three years, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and she won the award every year. Dianne won the NQC Fan Award for Songwriter of the Year which is based on chart performance in 2012 and 2013, which were the only two years it was given. During her career, she received three Dove Award nominations for song of the year in different categories which were “O Come Along” in 1996 recorded by the Cathedral Quartet, “The Old White Flag” in 2009 for the best gospel bluegrass song recorded by Triumphant and “If These Old Walls Could Talk” in 2015 in the bluegrass category recorded by Wilburn and Wilburn. In 2015, she was nominated for the Dove Award for Songwriter of the Year. Dianne won the IBMA Song of the Year in 2016 for her song “All Dressed Up” which was co-written by Jerry Salley and recorded by Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers. She won BMI Awards for the most played songs in a given year which were “The Rock’s Between the Hard Place and You” in 2009 recorded by the Kingdom Heirs, “What Salvation Has Done for Me” in 2010 recorded by the Booth Brothers, “The Joys of Heaven” in 2016 recorded by Kingdom Heirs and “Good News from Jerusalem” in 2016 recorded by the Tribute Quartet. In 2013, Dianne was recognized by the Southern Gospel Music Guild for a lifetime achievement award, along with fellow songwriters Mosie Lister (now in Heaven), Ronny Hinson, Rodney Griffin, Phil Cross and Squire Parsons. She was in the class of inductees into the Southern Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 2020.

Dianne’s greatest blessing in life was her family. She strived to be the best wife, sister and aunt that she possibly could be. She loved spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews, and spoiled them any time she had the chance.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Tim Wilkinson.

Dianne is survived by her brothers, Jim Branscum and his wife Sondra of Dyersburg, Tenn., and Ron Branscum of Detroit, Mich.; sisters, Lillie Ann Tolly and her husband Johnny of Denton, Texas, and Shirley Privett; niece, Rachel Payton and her husband Sean of Dyersburg, Tenn., and nephew, John Mark Branscum and his wife Cami of Chapel Hill, Tenn,; and great-nieces and nephews, Aeris, Kourtney, Lauren, Brandon, Colton, Jordan, Briley, Makenzy and Sean, Jr.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. at Springhill Baptist Church in Dyersburg, Tenn., with Rev. Jim Branscum officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 until service time at Springhill Baptist Church. There will be visitation at Cobb Funeral Home Monday evening, Dec. 6, from 5-7 p.m. Burial will be Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. in Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Wall of Grace Ministries, 2051 Cedar Street, McKenzie, TN 38201. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.