Diane Williams

Diane Williams was born Friday, July 28, 1950 at 3:40 p.m. to Eugene Gainyard and Annabel Gainyard (née Trantham) in Brooklyn N.Y. Kings County. She graduated from Sarah J. Hale High School with a specialization in cosmetology. Diane went on to have five children with her high school sweetheart, James Smith. She spent several decades working in the health field as a certified nurse’s aide until she retired in 2013.

We each had personalized names for her. To Nicole she was “Mommy Lady”; to Angelique, she was “Mumzee”; to Jamie, she was “our mother,” especially when discussing one of her latest escapades. But to all of us she was “Ma,” “Lady D,” or “Ms. Williams.”

Diane was a petite and fiery spirit who did things her own way and in her own time. She enjoyed being the center of attention. She never met a stranger and rarely passed up an opportunity to make her presence known. Whether she was holding court at a family gathering, sharing her unfiltered opinions, or declaring "Excuse me, EXCUSE ME!" to anyone within earshot, Diane had a way of commanding attention wherever she went.

"I Love It" was one of her favorite expressions, and those who knew her best could often tell exactly what mood she was in by the way she said it. She could be stubborn, outspoken, and wonderfully unpredictable. Her words sometimes challenged us, her actions occasionally bewildered us, but her love always found its way through.

Diane remained true to herself—a woman who lived life entirely on her own terms. Diane will be remembered as a woman who loved life, laughter, music, and good food. She took great pride in her family and passed along a strong work ethic, a love of gathering around the table, and an appreciation for finding joy wherever it could be found. To embrace our humanity over fulfilling a role.

We will miss her potato salad, cornbread dressing, cheesecake, lasagna, and the countless meals that brought the family together. We will miss her wicked sense of humor, her forthright honesty, and the unmistakable presence she brought into every room she entered.

Rest well, Ma. Tell those angels they'd better save a plate for us.

Tell Jimmy we said, “Hi.”

Diane Williams is preceded in death by her parents Eugene Gainyard and Annabel Samuels (née Trantham). She is also preceded in death by her loving spouse, James Smith. Her five children and their spouses honor her memory: Jamie James Gainyard and Sandy Gainyard; Christopher Marion Gainyard and Ingrid O’Neil-Griffin; Angelique Marcella Gainyard and Michael Totten; Michael Gainyard and Ariel Gainyard; and Dr. Nicole Michelle Gainyard and Aaron Sutherland. Her grandchildren: Jonnathan Noel Gainyard, Shanequa (Skylar) S. Gainyard, Solomon Uriel Abdul-Wahhab, Michael Antoine Gainyard Jr., Charlie Joy Pritchard, Carnel Pritchard Jr., Shatiema Gainyard, Shatiera Gainyard. Her great grandchildren: James Noel Gainyard, Amaya Gainyard, Brooklyn Gainyard. Diane Williams is also survived by her childhood best friend Diane Lewis of Brooklyn, NY, and other friends located at Dolan Manor in Greensboro North Carolina.

A celebration of life for her birthday (July 28) in Greensboro, NC is forthcoming

In lieu of flowers, condolences can be sent to dr.nicolemg@gmail.com