Diane Thornton Woodruff

Diane Thornton Woodruff, 75, of Diamondhead, MS, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2023, surrounded by her many loved ones who celebrate her incredible life and legacy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Thornton Sr.; her parents, Fred Ansco Gunter and Florence “Peggy” Alsup; and her son, Curtis Joseph “Joey” Cuevas.

She is survived and missed by her husband, John "Jack" Woodruff, along with his three children; her three children, Shirley Flores (Johnny) of San Antonio, TX, Billy Thornton Jr. (Sylvia) of Gulfport, MS, and Melissa Collins (George Jr) of Heidelberg, MS; her sisters, Peggy Stone (Jimmy) of Mobile, AL, and Angela Gunter of Billings, Montana; her beloved grandchildren, Mattie Cofer (Tristan), Claire Funk (Jonathan), Benjamin Collins, Mary-Catherine Collins, Madeline Collins, Gunter Collins, Brady Collins, Faith Collins, and Forrest Collins; and three great-grandchildren August and Arthur Cofer, and Nathan Funk.

She was a faithful Christian and cherished her Bible study groups. She was retired from the BellSouth Corporation, a renowned cook, and was a contributing chef in the Bell’s Best cookbook. She enjoyed many creative outlets, such as sewing, crafting, and painting; she crocheted hundreds of hats for her local cancer center and made many flower arrangements for local nursing homes.

Her visitation will be held at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Gulfport, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 am.  Memorial services will follow in the sanctuary at 11:00 am. 

Her family asks that donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org , in lieu of flowers.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln Delisle Road, is serving the family, and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com .