Diane Smith

August 25, 1932 - February 19, 2021

Diane Smith, 88, of Brandon, Florida, passed peacefully into the loving arms of God on Friday, February 19, 2021, under the care of Lifepath Hospice. A memorial service in her honor will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the First Presbyterian Church, 10 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois,61938; Pastor Matthew Froeschle will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois 61938 is in charge of services. Born in Sullivan, Indiana, to the late Earl and Edna Cox, Diane spent her youth and early adult years in Princeton, Indiana, and was an active member in her church and school activities. She loved to play baseball and tennis, camping and any manner of water sports, eventually learning how to water ski on just one ski. Diane was a faithful fan of Indiana basketball and a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. In 1964, she married John Smith and together they moved the family to Mt. Carmel, Illinois and then settled in Mattoon, Illinois for the next 36 years. Diane was employed by Mattoon Community School District Two for 18 years in the Purchasing Department. After retirement, Diane and John enjoyed winters in Florida and upon John’s passing in 2001, Diane decided to move permanently to The Villages, Florida, where she remained active for many years. She looked forward to spending time with all the snowbirds who would travel to Florida during the winter months, and enjoyed playing cards, going on a cruise, and keeping up with the gang in the Mattoon/Charleston area. Diane was an avid golfer and reveled in the year-round sunshine and foursomes with friends. She was an active member in Northlake Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed the Women’s Bible Studies, Retreats, and Small Group Fellowship groups at Northlake. Diane volunteered weekly at The Villages Hospital for many years and was recognized for her devotion and hours of service to others. In September of 2019, Diane sold her home and moved to Brandon, Florida to be closer to her family, and she resided at Tessera of Brandon until her death. Again, Diane found “friends who became family along the way” and enjoyed her independent living surroundings. Sadly, the pandemic was unleashed upon the world, and the lockdowns and quarantines became a challenge to navigate. Even amid chaos and uncertainty, Diane was able to celebrate her 88th birthday with her daughters through a plate glass window, and it was a day full of wonderful memories. Diane leaves behind three daughters, Linda (Bud) Grafton, of Valrico, FL, Brenda (Rob) Wilkinson, of Sycamore, IL, and Jennifer Smith, of Miami Beach, FL. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Adam Grafton, of Dunwoody, GA, Mitchell (Rachel) Grafton, of Valrico, FL, Kathryn Grafton, of Valrico, FL, Lucas Wilkinson of Lincoln, NE, Zachary Wilkinson, of Sycamore, IL, Kirsten Riser, of Pembroke MA, Courtney Riser, of Pembroke, MA, and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Seeds of Hope, Inc, 5668 Fishhawk Crossing Blvd, Lithia, FL, 33547 or The Parkinson’s Foundation. Please visit www.mitchelljerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.