Born in Jacksonville, Georgia on December 29, 1948, to Eddie (Buster) and Mildred Smith.
Moved to Miami, Florida with parents in 1970, at the age of 12.
After graduating high school she worked for Florida Power and Light and later worked for her parents managing one of their laundromats.
She joined Miami-Dade Police Department April 20, 1981, and worked a variety of positions, including: uniformed patrol, Northside District General Investigation Unit, Training Bureau, and the Police Departments Records Bureau. While at the Training Bureau she was assigned to the Video Services Section, where she wrote, produced, and directed multiple ‘Information Videos’ for the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Television Show called “So You Wanna Be a Cop”, winning several awards, such as “The Communicator” through the Crystal Awards for her work.
Diane retired from the police department on June 30, 2003, and subsequently moved with her husband to Tavares, Florida. Some years later, in June 2001 she moved to Apopka, Florida.
Diane was a devoted mother and grandmother. In her spare time she enjoyed attending auctions looking for unique items that she could furnish her home in Jacksonville, Georgia, which was built by the local riverboat captain in 1893. She and her husband purchased the house in 2002 and spent 10 years restoring it.
Florida Services : Thursday, April 27, 2017. Visitation from 5-7PM; Funeral Service 7PM. Both to be held at Loomis Funeral Home 420 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712.
Georgia Service : Saturday, May 06, 2017 Visitation 11AM-12PM, Service at Emaul Apostolic Church @ 2pm, Interment Wilcox Cemetery.