Diane King

Diane was raised as a young girl in Carthage, predominately by her grandmother, known to all as “Big Mamma”.  She spent many days with her father, Chester.  He loved her without boundaries and enjoyed her being with him.  One day, while Chester was visiting in Nacogdoches, she caught the eye of a young man.  Richard King was immediately smitten and knew she would one day be his wife.  The two struck up a friendship, which led to a courtship and within 5 months, Richard and Diane were married.  They began their lives together on July 23, 1964.  They spent time living in Leesville, Louisiana with Richard’s parents, of whom Diane was very close to and then made their way to Pasadena for a bit.  In 1970, they made their forever home in Nacogdoches.  They started their family with the birth of their first child, Michelle and tragically lost an infant son, Tommy.  In 1971, they added their son, Kenneth, to make their party of 4 complete.  Diane stayed home raising their children while Richard worked.  She loved them without boundaries and supported them endlessly.  Diane was overjoyed when Richard’s mom and dad (“Grandma and Grandpa” as they were known), moved to be close to them in Nacogdoches.  For years and years, until their passing, Sunday afternoons and holidays were spent with Grandma & Grandpa and Diane cherished every minute of being a part of their lives.  When Michelle and Kenneth were both old enough for school, Diane decided to go to work.  She spent 13 years working for Weiner’s Department Store, almost 10 years for Dr. Matt Lowe and ended her working days after a few years at Dr. Theiss’ office.  She and Richard lovingly adopted their oldest grandchild, Chris when he was 10 and took great strides to make sure he was happy.  Diane and Richard then began to travel with their favorite places being Tennessee, Missouri and The Smokey Mountains.  They made many wonderful memories on their adventures, of which Diane captured on film for her photo albums. 

She loved taking pictures and made albums of the different times of their lives for all to relive for years to come.  However, her best and most fond collection of photos were of her grandchildren.  She absolutely loved being a “Nanny” and the memories she made with them were abundant.  She was always the best dressed lady in the room and had a purse, shoes, jewelry and a pair of sunglasses to match perfectly with anything she wore.  Her kids and grandkids would say if she found a pair of shoes she liked, she would buy them in every color….just in case.  Diane had a passion for collecting things. 

She loved cookie jars, Elvis, Coca-Cola, Betty Boop, windchimes and much more.   In most recent years, sitting with Richard in the den listening to her chimes and watching the birds and other wildlife at the feeders made for many happy days.  Diane will forever be remembered by her family and missed by those closest to her.

Diane is survived by her husband of 57 years, Richard King of Nacogdoches; son, Kenneth King & wife, Angie of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Christopher King & husband, Alex of California, Steven Molanders & wife, Carla of Nacogdoches, Brian Molanders & wife, Michelle of Nacogdoches, Kaylee Covarrubias & husband, Josh of Nacogdoches, Kolten King of Nacogdoches and Addisen King of Nacogdoches; great grandchildren, Asher, Ayla & Atalie Molanders, Jase & Jaxon Covarrubias, as well as Justin, Cason, Bentley, Domanik & Aleigh; brothers-in-law, Jerry King & wife, Sherry and Kenneth Dale King & wife, Susan; nephews and nieces, Bo & Monica Vann, Gary & Laura Vann, John Vann, Ricky & Denny King, Kevin King, Randle & Belinda Johnson, Nick & Amy King and Crystal & Jason Keene as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her infant son, Tommy King; daughter, Michelle Molanders; sister and brother-in-law, Linda & Charlie Vann and nephew, Michael Vann.

Serving as pallbearers will be Christopher King, Steven Molanders, Brian Molanders, Kolten King, Josh Covarrubias, Gary Vann and Bo Vann.  

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