of Gainesville, Florida passed away on January 6th. She was 73.  Dianne was a wonderful lady, fantastic wife, mother, and grandmother (Nanny). Dianne was as good as they get. She loved the lord, her parents, Marvin and Dorothy Stewart, her siblings, Wanda Willis, Gail Holden, and Larry Stewart. Most of all, she cherished her husband, Ben L. Barron Sr., and her two children, Ben L. Barron Jr. (Shalonda) and Lori Barron Masingil (Bruce). Dianne enjoyed her four grandchildren: Codi Lynn, Scott Benjamin, Sarah Dianne, and Shane Wilson. She was also a proud aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Dianne was born on April 4, 1945 at home in Levy County. She graduated from Gainesville High School, where she met her husband Ben, and they started their life together. They were married on January 3rd in 1964 and recently celebrated 55 years together. These 55 wonderful years were spent in the Gainesville area. Dianne retired from the Alachua County School Board, after working first at Lake Forest Elementary and later as a Curriculum Resource Teacher’s Aide at Newberry Elementary. After her retirement, Dianne spent her time keeping her husband in line, raising budgies, homing pigeons, and all kinds of other birds with him, helping take care of her grandchildren, and generally enjoying life. Her family fondly remembers her cooking the greatest Thanksgiving meals ever and taking time out of her summers to host her grandkids at week-long sleepovers. Her daughter will be forever grateful that she successfully taught Sarah Dianne how to properly say the letter R.

Dianne will remain in her family’s hearts and minds. How lucky they are to have had such a person in their lives. Dianne will be remembered not with a goodbye, but with a thank you. Her family thanks her for being an instrumental part of their lives and allowing them to love her and for receiving her love in return. Dianne will be greatly missed.

Her family wishes to thank all those who visited her in her last days and to thank those at Haven Hospice. Viewing ceremony will be held Friday, January 11, 2019 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Forest Meadows Funeral Home. Her private, graveside service will be held at Forest Meadows Cemetery East on Friday with her former pastor, David Bump, officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home.