Woodbury Church Member Named Local Hero for Compassionate Care

PAOLA MORA ZEPEDA

Mandy Hagar-Diaz , a registered nurse and member of Woodbury Church, poses with an American flag after being recognized as the “Local Hero” during the annual Field of Flags ceremony in Woodbury, Tenn. Other honorees include local fire, police, and military service members.

Perry Louden

State Senator Shane Reeves applauds Mandy Hagar-Diaz after she received her “Local Hero” award. Hagar-Diaz was recognized for her work in hospice care.

Perry Louden

Mandy Hagar-Diaz, a registered nurse and member of Woodbury, Tenn., Church, was recognized as a “Local Hero” during the annual Field of Flags ceremony in Woodbury. The Cannon County Vietnam Veterans Association honored Hagar-Diaz for her years of compassionate hospice care, naming her one of five recipients of the 2025 award.

The event, which honors community service and sacrifice, was attended by state Senator Shane Reeves and Representative Michael Hale. Other honorees included local fire, police, and military service members.

Hagar-Diaz earned her bachelor of science in nursing summa cum laude from Middle Tennessee State University in 2007, and has worked as a registered nurse for 18 years. Nearly six of those were spent in hospice care, where she provided end-of-life support to patients and families.

“You’re serving people at their most vulnerable time,” said Hagar-Diaz. “You walk into a room filled with fear and grief, and somehow God gives you the strength to bring peace and comfort … you’re caring for bodies, but you’re also tending to souls.”

Now transitioning to wound care nursing for a more balanced schedule, Hagar-Diaz said the award served as a touching tribute to her years in hospice care.

“Usually that phrase ‘Thank you for your service’ is connected to the military,” she said. “But in nursing, you’re also giving of yourself and your time. To have people say thank you publicly was humbling and encouraging. It felt like God’s way of closing that chapter for me.”

Outside of work, Hagar-Diaz serves as Pathfinder director and music leader at Woodbury Church. She is active in the church’s community emergency response team, and recently joined the Cannon County Rescue Squad.

Hagar-Diaz encourages others to use everyday moments as opportunities to share their faith.

“Your job is not just something to bring income,” she said. “It is time God has given you to serve His people. Our whole mission on Earth is to be a light, so people can see Jesus in you.”

Kentucky-Tennessee Conference | December 2025