Dione Elizabeth Montgomery

Dione was born on May 18, 1941 on a farm in Clegge, Texas, to Ethel, a school teacher, and Ray, an oilfield worker. She grew up in Clegge, Seven Sisters, and Freer. Her brother Thomas Lee Flood was born when she was five years old. When she was a little girl, her favorite toys were her dolls and doll house. She loved washing her dolls’ clothes and hanging them on the fence to dry. She would get so upset when the birds would pull the ribbons and buttons off her dolls’ clothes and use them for their nests. She liked helping her mother in the kitchen, setting the table, and dusting the furniture. Ever since she was little, Dione wanted to grow up to be a wife and mother. And that’s just what she did.

Dione went to school in Freer, Texas, from elementary school through high school. In high school, her favorite classes were English, Homemaking, and Texas History. She was also in the band at school. She started in 5th grade and stuck with it, all the way through high school. She played the E flat alto saxophone, and she loved it. When people complimented her during physical therapy for her good posture, she would say, “Must be all those years in the marching band.”

After Dione graduated from high school, she went to business school in San Antonio, and her first job was with Edgar Tobin Aerial Survey. While she was living and working in San Antonio, she got ‘fixed up’ with the love of her life. Mama Henley, her grandmother, and O.B. Montgomery were the matchmakers. Their families knew each other, and she was so excited to go out with Jim. They went to see a movie in Three Rivers at the Rialto Theater, and when she came home from the date, she told her Aunt Maxine, “I’m going to marry Jim.” And a few months later, on November 25, 1960, she did. Dione became a mom soon after. When she found out she was going to be a mom, she was excited and thankful. It was all she ever wanted.

Dione was a life-long member of the Church of Christ. She had a beautiful singing voice, and she loved to sing and praise the Lord. She loved to read and study her Bible, and did so every day. She liked to keep her hands busy with hobbies such as sewing, cross-stitch, quilting, and reading.

Dione is survived by her husband, James Allen Montgomery, and her five children; Janet, Debra, John, David, and Jay. She is also survived by 4 granddaughters; Joy, Danielle, Jennifer, and Breanne, and three great-grandchildren; Jordan, Daisy, and Hagan.