Diane Smith Henry, 64, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, July 31, 2014 at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Sunday, August 3, 2014, at the First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald with the Rev. Dr. Michael Ruffin officiating. Beth McQuaig will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Saturday evening at the funeral home.
Mrs. Henry was born December 22, 1949 in Fitzgerald to the late Rev. C.W. & Luradine McEwen Smith. A 1967 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, Mrs. Henry earned a Bachelors degree in Home Economics from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro. She was a social worker for the Ben Hill County Department of Family & Children Services where she placed foster children. She retired in 1989 due to health concerns. Mrs. Henry enjoyed gathering with her retired co-workers as well as her high school classmates. She loved to sew and shop with her friends. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church and the Grace Seekers Sunday school class. Mrs. Henry was a woman of true grace who endured ill health for almost 40 years. Even through her extensive sickness and the death of two husbands, she maintained a joyful heart and a positive spirit…this will be her legacy.
She is survived by her daughter: Kelly Henry of Statesboro; a sister: Peggy Clemons and her husband Ronnie of Fitzgerald; a brother: C. Alton Smith and his wife Mary of Chicago, Illinois; and two nephews: Ryan & Trista Clemons and Tyler & Leslie Clemons, all of Fitzgerald. Also left to remember “Aunt DiDi” are her great-nieces and nephews: Connor Clemons, Maddison Clemons, Lexie Lee Clemons, and Logan Clemons. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands: Gary Mathis and William F. Henry.
Remembering her love of children, the family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, P O Box 329, Palmetto GA 30268.