Diana Redding Reed, 64, of Abilene passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018 with her husband, children, grandchildren and extended family by her side. A memorial service will be held at 10am on Saturday, May 26, 2018 in the Elliott-Hamil Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South.
Diane was born on December 23, 1953 in Ventura, California to Hubert and Ollie Redding. She spent her youth in the southern California communities of Filmore, Piru and the surrounding area. In 1970 she moved to Vernon, Texas where she met her husband, Richard Reed, and they began their family. The couple settled in Anson and later in the Abilene area. During this time she discovered her love of nursing and working with the elderly. She worked as a nurse for many years at Anson Health Care Center, and later at The Oaks at Radford Hills and Windcrest, both in Abilene. Her coworkers and residents were like her extended family. She loved to read and loved her animal and wildlife programs. She would spend hours feeding and watching the birds from her front porch.
She had a life long dream to travel to Ireland, and in 2011 she fulfilled her dream with a road tour of the entire country, seeing coastal vistas and landmarks all over Ireland.
She loved Christmas and every year she went all out. She would cook a vast meal and schedule it accordingly so that all of her children and grandchildren could be there. She loved her family and her grandchildren were the light of her life. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She made many sacrifices during her life for her family. She stepped back into the role of mother when she took over the care and began raising her granddaughter, Sydney Reed. If and when anyone needed anything, she was the one you knew you could count on. She was the rock and stabilizer of the family.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Richard J. Reed; her sisters, Virginia Redding of Filmore, CA and Linda Rogers of Abilene; and a brother, Fred Redding of Torrance, CA.
Survivors include her husband, daughters, Cathy (Reed) and husband Brian Runnels, and Tiffany Reed; son, David Reed and wife Donna; seven grandchildren, Cadman Runnels of Jemison, AL, Erika Runnels, Neecole Runnels and fiancee Ray Ramirez, Sydney Reed, Taylor Reed (Hamlin), Mason Reed and Alisa Reed; one great grandson, C.T. Runnels of Jemison, AL; brothers, Ross Redding and wife Sharon of Chico, TX, and Stanley Redding of Abilene; and one sister, Nancy Sharpe, also of Abilene.
You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhomes.com.
