She was the eldest child, born on July 26, 1946 in Bessemer, Alabama to Thomas Marshall and Willie Mae Anderson. She was a Navy brat and spent her adolescent years living in numerous places until her parents settled in Memphis, where she graduated from high school.
She spent her career working for Bellsouth where she made many lifelong friends. She married the love of her life, Neil Louis Smith, and together they had one daughter.
Diane lived life with a full and generous heart. She was passionate about her grandchildren, shopping and desserts, and those are what made her happiest. Her favorite role in life was Mimi to her two grandsons and was a fixture at all school and sporting events.
She is preceded in death by both her parents, Thomas in 1991 and Willie Mae in 2007, and her husband, Neil in 1991.
She is survived by her only daughter Paige Smith Ostrow, her son-in-law Craig, and adored grandsons Connor Neil and Jack Anderson Ostrow all of Memphis. She also leaves behind her younger brothers Thomas “Tommy” (Suellen) and William “Andy” (Trina) Anderson and many
extended family and friends.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 27th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave. She will be laid to rest following a graveside service on Monday, August 28th at 10:00 am, at Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Road. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Smith family.
