of Lebanon, TN
June 21, 1945 - October 18, 2024
Gordon "Diane" King Carr, 79, went to be with her heavenly father on October 18, 2024 at 10:34 am at Lebanon Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Lebanon, Tennessee.
She was born on June 21, 1945 to Ralph King and Charlene Pearce King in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Diane came to know the Lord at a young age and her life was lived enthusiastically caring for and encouraging others to live life to the fullest.
She grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas, enjoying a wonderful childhood with her siblings and many close cousins. Diane was a loving, kind and curious girl who relished in learning and had big dreams of traveling the world, teaching and helping others. She was a long-time member of Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Diane graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1963 and went on to earn a degree in Kinesiology from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1967.
It was at Arkansas State University where she met the love of her life, Jim Carr. She and Jim married on August 26, 1967 in Jonesboro, Arkansas and made their home in San Augustine, Texas, where they both set out on their careers in Education. Diane went on to earn her Master's Degree in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and taught Physical Education and History at San Augustine High School for 30 years before retiring in 2001. Diane was a dedicated educator, taking great pleasure in teaching her students to be avid learners of the world around them. She invested in the lives of her students through time and dedication to their endeavors and sharing her passion for learning. She sponsored many senior classes, organizations and student travel experiences throughout her career as an educator.
Diane was a loving wife to Jim and a wonderful, nurturing mother to their daughter, Allyson. Together they enjoyed church, water sports, horses and having fun. Diane was an animal lover and had a creative and adventurous spirit. She and her family were long-time members of the First United Methodist Church in San Augustine, Texas, where both she and Jim sang in the church choir and raised their daughter, Allyson to know the Lord. Diane was a caring friend to all, a warmhearted neighbor and an active participant in serving her community through The Women's Service League and other community organizations. She was always enthusiastic in helping others. Diane delighted in raising her daughter, Allyson and cherished their time together pursuing their passions for horses, spending time with friends and family, traveling and helping Allyson to follow her dreams to study abroad and make a positive difference in the world. ''Mrs. Carr'' as Allyson's friends affectionately called her, always made her home a place where friends were welcome to play, swim, have fun and enjoy company. Her hospitality, kindness, fun-loving disposition, unique sense of adventure and humor made for many warm and memorable times at the Carr home for family and friends.
After the death of her husband, Jim, in 2000, Diane made her way back to her roots in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where she lovingly cared for her mother for ten years. She joined Unity Missionary Baptist Church and was a member of Altrusa, an international nonprofit organization, focusing on community service. Her adventurous spirit led her to travel to many countries during this time, fulfilling her life-long dreams of seeing the world. She and Allyson visited Armenia, Turkey and India together. In later years she lived in Memphis, Tennessee near her sister, Kathleen and then eventually moved to Lebanon, Tennessee near the Carr family, who was there to care for her.
She was preceded in death by parents, Ralph Gordon and Thelma Charlene King; husband, Jimmy Alan Carr and nephew, Timothy Kuyrkendall.
Survived by daughter, Allyson Myers Carr (Adam) White; step granddaughters, Ella and Amber White; sisters, Kathleen King Woods and Erna Fay (Don) White; brother, George Randall (Sheila) King; brother-in-law, Robin (Sherry) Carr; nieces, Keippi (Pete) Bain, Dawn (Andy) Willis and Brooke Carr; great nieces and great nephews and a host of other loving family and friends.
A visitation will be held from 3-6 pm on October 22nd at Partlow Funeral Chapel in Lebanon, Tennessee. There will be a visitation held from 12-2 pm and a memorial service at 2 pm on Saturday, October 26th at the Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro, AR. Following the service, her body will be laid to rest at Unity Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Jonesboro, AR. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the First United Methodist Church in San Augustine, Texas.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff at Lebanon Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Lebanon, Tennessee for their loving care and support.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Bono, Arkansas or First United Methodist Church in San Augustine, Texas. Kindly mail checks in remembrance of Diane King Carr, payable to either church and mail to:
Unity Missionary Baptist Church
3078 Highway 91 W
Jonesboro, AR 72404
First United Methodist Church
205 S. Liberty St.
San Augustine, TX 75972
Partlow Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 615-444-7007 www.partlowchapel.com
Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home is in charge of services in Jonesboro.