Gabriella Bonham, a sixteen-year-old, traveled 30 miles away from her home in El Reno, Oklahoma, to Oklahoma City, to attend a stranger’s funeral. She left with a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle.  

Diane Sweeney passed away suddenly on July 7, 2022. A few weeks before she passed she had spoken to her nephew about how when she passed, she wanted to gift one of her prized possessions  – her 2016 Volkswagen Beetle to someone who attended her funeral. 

Rick Ingram, Diane’s nephew, wanted to get the news out about the chance someone had to win his aunt’s car, so he reached out to the local news outlets so they could get the word out. Channel 4 ended up picking up the story and asked if they could do a news report about it. Rick told them that it was going to absolutely pack the funeral home. 

After seeing the story on TV, Gabriella decided to go. She ended up talking two of her sisters and a couple of cousins into making the trek with her.

Following the funeral, Gabriella was grateful for the experience, not only because she won a car, but also to learn about Diane, her life, and her kindness. 

Rick said a lot of sweet things about his aunt and even got emotional during an interview with Fox News. “She always had a giving spirit, she told a few of us her wish. I remember it as clear as day. She said, ‘Whoever comes to my funeral, I want them to have a chance to win my Volkswagen Beetle.’ And I said, ‘Oh, Diane, I’ll make that happen.’”