Diann Walker Coleman, 86, passed away on Sept. 23, 2019, at her home in Oxford.  She was born on August 8, 1933, in Taylor, La., to Curtis Odell and Rosalee Whitton Walker. She graduated from Gibsland High School in Gibsland, La., where she played basketball for the Eagles.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana College in 1954. She graduated Magna Cum Laude. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi in 1978.  

 

She was the City Prosecutor for the City of Oxford from May 1,1984 through September 15,1987. She was a member of Oxford University United Methodist Church. She was on the Long Range Planning Committee and chairman of the Finance Committee for many years. She was a member of the President’s Club of Louisiana College, in Pineville, La.  She was a member of the University of Mississippi Loyalty Foundation and Co-director of Women’s Studies Seminar at the University of Mississippi in 1972.  

 

She was a patron and supporter of numerous cultural and philanthropic projects. She frequently donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center and Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce from 1993-1996. She was a Member of American Association for Justice, American Bar Association, National Organization of Women, Lamar Society, International Law, Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association, Lafayette County Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Ole Miss Rebel Tip-off Club, University Mississippi Alumni Association, Phi Alpha Delta, Alpha Chi.   

   

Diann was a voracious reader.  Her passion was reading about World War II.  She adored Winston Churchill and considered him one of the great men of the 20th Century and Eleanor Roosevelt who was a pioneer of her time.  She also loved to fish. On a late afternoon you would find her on her lake fishing with her dear friend Willie Westbrook. Willie would fish for catfish and Diann loved the excitement of bass fishing.  She was also an avid sports fan. She loved the Ole Miss Rebels in all sports. She enjoyed attending Broadway shows at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee.  

   

Upon her passing, those who knew and loved her have commented ”There was never anyone like her, with her wit, her determination, and her loving kindness. She was something else, and she was.” 

     

She is survived by her three children, Kathy Diann Allen (Pat), of Oxford, Kent Walker Coleman (Tammy), of Dallas Texas, and Kellye Susan Coleman, of Oxford.  She is also survived by five grandchildren, Ashley Diann Allen, of Seattle, Wash., Daniel Walker Coleman, of Aurora, Colo., and Sean Thomas Coleman of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Kennedy Alexis Coleman and Nicholas Walker Coleman, of Dallas and great-grandchildren, Fiona Stacy Anne Coleman, Kacey Jeanne Coleman and Chloe Jadyn-Marie Coleman of Aurora.  She leaves one sister, Kay Southern, of Monroe, La. Preceding Diann in death was her son, Kevin James Coleman, of New York.

   

Diann donated her body to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.  Her memorial service will be on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the Oxford University United Methodist Church in Oxford.  There will be food and fellowship after the service.  

 

Any memorials honoring Diann should be sent to The Interfaith Compassion Ministries.  The address is 1918 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.