Diane went to be with the Lord on August 31, 2011. A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday, September 3, 2011, at Davis-Morris Funeral Home. The family will receive friends during visitation from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, at Davis-Morris Funeral Home.
Diane was born July 9, 1944 in Sioux City, Iowa to Mary Elizabeth and Paul Waldrop Sr. Diane grew up in Brownwood, Texas, attending South Elementary and Brownwood Jr & Sr High School. After marrying Larry Holland on August 24, 1962, they spent the next 46 years raising kids & dogs, antiquing, bird hunting, deer hunting, and making a world of friends. Larry was the love of her life and preceded her in death on June 20, 2008. Diane was a member of the First Baptist Church of Brownwood.
II Timothy 4: 6 – 8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course.
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”.
No words are more fitting than these for Diane who has overcome so many adversities in a short three-year period. She kept her faith, stronger each time; from rheumatoid arthritis, to the blood clot resulting in an amputation of her left leg, to the loss of her life-long friend and husband, Larry, and to the battle with breast cancer; and more recently the resurgence of cancer. She fought a good fight. She always looked at the positive side. She said, The good Lord will not give me more than I can endure”. Her glass was always half full.
She is survived by one son, Matthew Wayne Holland of Brownwood and one daughter, Sally Diane Haynes and husband Scott, and grandson, Garrett Clyde Haynes of College Station. Diane is survived by two sisters, Evy Winn and husband Rowland of Brownwood and Sue Chiles and husband Keith of Galveston and a brother, Paul Waldrop, Jr. and wife Lynda of Brownwood, her very dear friend Judy Gay Herman and husband Jimmy of Brownwood as well as many friends and relatives in the Brownwood area.
Diane loved her family. Diane & her children shared common interests in nature and antiques, with incredible, creative talents of home decorating, making jewelry & wreaths, and landscaping. She was so excited to have a grandchild, who affectionately called her “Honey”. Diane cherished the summers when Garrett would stay for weeks, playing at their country home.
Diane was the big sister. A great sister! Many locals will remember the blue & white striped jeep that Diane & Evy drove in High School. The girls had lots of fun in that jeep and Dad could keep track of them, because everyone in town knew who they were & what they were doing. Diane had a special love and respect for Paul Jr. Not only did they share a special brother/sister bond, they worked together on community projects such as Latch Key and MHMR. With 9 years separating them, Diane and Susie shared a special bond and enjoyed many wonderful shopping trips together.
Diane devoted many years to working in the Brownwood Independent School District at Northwest Elementary and then as the Administrator for the Latchkey Program. Diane’s love for the children resulted in many cherished memories of the students and their families. Diane had a passion for antiques, which resulted in a working partnership with her mother at Mary’s Antiques in Early. Diane gained a reputation as an authority on antiques, glassware and turquoise jewelry in the Central Texas area. Diane enjoyed playing bridge and cherished her friends in the bridge group. Diane loved to work outdoors in her flowerbeds and especially enjoyed the last few years in her country home watching the deer and turkey feed in her front yard.
Diane has “finished the course”. Heaven is richer today as she joins her husband and Dad and others who have preceded her in death. Diane had an appreciation for the creative works of Brian Andreas’ Story People. An Andreas’ quote appropriate for Diane, “She said she usually cried at least once each day not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful & life was so short”. Diane was a dear mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She will be missed. The family would like to extend a special recognition and thanks to Michael Cloy, Lighthouse Hospice, and Jeanne, Paula, Linda & Lottie for their wonderful care and compassion. At the family’s request, donations to the Brownwood Latchkey Program may be made in lieu of flowers.
