She was born in the Groton area on June 21, 1944, to Orval and Bernice Smith.
Diane was married to David D. Sallee on July 6, 1985.
Diane worked as an accountant. She started this career as the bookkeeper for Tri State Welding Supply in Watertown, a business owned by her family, where she worked side by side with many family members over the years. She was an accountant in the Dallas area for over 30 years and ran her own business for most of that time. Diane's life was defined by her love of children and her heart was heavy for the plight of any child in need. Diane even spent an extended period volunteering her time in Romania to help the less fortunate children in the orphanages.
She is survived by her husband, David Sallee; daughter, Christine Singrey and son-in-law, Marvin, of Hazel; daughter, Michelle Tatum and son-in-law, John, of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Stacy Inscore and son-in-law, Andrew, of Carrollton Texas; stepson, Darrell Sallee of Lake Dallas, Texas; stepdaughter, Melisa Sallee of Dallas, Texas; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and her siblings: the Rev. Keith Smith of Revillo; Curt Smith and sister-in-law, Cookie, of Littleton, Colo.; and Cheryl Frank and brother-in-law, Jim, of Poncha Springs, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; as well as husbands, Charles Ackerman of Aberdeen and Rodger W. Jones of Watertown.
Celebration of life will be held 2 p.m. May 24 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Dallas, TX 75240.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, 5351 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228, at DCAC.org or 214-818-2600.
Please include Diane's name in the memorial.