Dianne Patricia Reid, died January 22, 2019 at Piedmont Medical Center-Midtown, after a prolonged illness. She was 66. Dianne was born July 21,1952 in Columbus, Georgia, and was the youngest of three daughters born to the late Dr. William G. Reid and Lucille Womack Reid. A celebration of Dianne's life will be held at 11AM, Monday, January 28, 2019 in the Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby. The family would like all in attendance to celebrate her life and tell her story as one of the Super Bowl Divas by accompanying them to a super bowl reception following the service in the Mill Room. The family ask that everyone in attendance to please wear their favorite football apparel.
She attended the public schools in Columbus and was among the first wave of African American students that integrated Baker High School. She graduated in 1969. At Baker, she was a member of the marching and concert band for four years where she was first chair in the band. She also taught herself how to play the piccolo. When that instrument was needed she was always ready, as she was the only member of the concert band that could play the piccolo. Music was her passion, as she grew up surrounded by gifted musicians from her mother’s side of the family. Dianne started piano lessons at an early age, but her instrument of choice was the flute and she loved playing it.
She attended Savannah State College but received her Bachelor of Science and her Master of Arts from Troy State University. In in her adult life, she expanded that love of music to include writing and arranging songs for a choir that she started and directed. She also loved to crochet and many of her friends and family were recipients of her beautiful pieces of work.
In 1981, she started her work as a Civil Service employee, becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 1983. After many years working at the Air Traffic Towers in Columbus and in Nashville, Tennessee, she became an FAA Weather Specialist, a job that she held for many years. She retired as a GS 14 after 35 years of service. After which, she became interested in education and became a substitute teacher with the public-school systems in Texas and in Savannah, Georgia. In 2016, she was offered a position as an instructor at the Federal Aviation Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she remained until her health began to decline. In December 2018, she moved from Oklahoma City back to Columbus where she remained until she passed away. She will be remembered as a bright, shining light who was a loving and loyal friend. She was always willing to lend a hand if she was needed. She will be sorely missed and leaves a void that can never be filled.
Dianne is survived by her loving sisters: Rosalind Reid Sims of Houston, Texas, Louise Richardson of Urbana, Illinois, Gwendolyn Mitchell Johnson (Gregory) of Midland, Georgia; Brother, Willie Mitchell (Marie) of Randalls Town, Maryland; Nephews: Dr. Paul Sims, Jr. of Houston, Texas, Channing Davis of Chatham, Virginia, Sterling Davis of Los Angeles, California, Ramon Johnson of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Nieces: LaQuita Carter of Midland, Georgia, Nicole Smith of Atlanta, Georgia, Monique Smith of McDonough, Georgia, Danielle Smith of Decatur, Georgia; Godson: Patrick Ligon (Angela) of Orlando, Florida; Goddaughters: Josina Greene (Derrick) of St. Louis, Missouri, Britani Cruz (J Cruz), Jacquelyn Ligon (Michael), Jamila Ligon, all of Orlando, Florida and numerous loving relatives and friends. Fond memories and condolences may be left for the Reid family at www.SHColumbus.com
