Diane Byrd

Diane Diggs Byrd passed away on October 15, 2024, at age 77. A cherished mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor, Diane's life was a testament to education, service, and love.

Diane was born on January 14, 1947, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Dorothy and Victor Dumas Diggs, Sr. When her father died when she was twelve, Diane saw her mother not only survive, but triumph and become a successful businesswoman. Diane graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1964, and Morgan State University in 1968. She also was one of the first minority women to conduct research in Porphyrin Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University and later, pursue graduate work in Paleontology (Hampton Institute), Micro-Cellular Biology and Genetic Engineering (William and Mary).

In 1968, having an unwavering passion for service, Diane began her remarkable career by volunteering to serve in the Vietnam War with the American Red Cross. While stationed in Vietnam, she received a phone call from a young army officer, who introduced himself by saying, “Hello. My name is Melvin Byrd, and I’m going to marry you.” To Diane’s utter surprise, after a brief courtship, Melvin was true to his word and proposed after a movie date to The Sound of Music. They soon wed in Korea and renewed their vows when they returned to the states a few months later. Diane continued to dedicate countless hours with Red Cross units worldwide while serving as the consummate military wife, helping her husband build a stellar career while also balancing the demands of mothering their four children and moving the family between assignments every few years. When Retired Brigadier General Melvin Byrd died in 2011, they had been married for 43 years.

Diane’s commitment to serving her community and the military was surpassed only by her commitment to raising her children. As a mother, Diane worked, prayed, and planned tirelessly for her children to become strong, independent individuals able to confidently contribute to the world and to God. Diane taught her children to cook, hand wash dishes, and sew. She took them to church on Wednesdays and Sundays. After church on Sundays, Diane would take her children into Washington, D.C. to discover the universe at the Air and Space Museum or history at the monuments and the Museum of Natural History. She baked them cookies during naptime on weekends. She taught them to pray for missionaries. She taught them to be good neighbors.

Diane was devoted to nurturing young minds. She became a beloved and innovative educator. She developed curriculum and training programs for the Department of Defense Child Care Centers at Fort Bragg, NC, and Mannheim, Germany, and the Childhood Curriculum for Mother’s Day Out Pre-School in Alexandra, Virginia. Through this work, Diane motivated children to learn math and science before they entered kindergarten. Later, she taught science in various public middle schools. Diane's teaching expertise extended beyond traditional education. She taught courses in disaster preparedness, serving diverse communities, and law nationwide.

For more than 51 years, Diane cherished her role as a Sunday School teacher. Her detailed and creative lessons imparted not only a knowledge and the love of Jesus, but also the values of compassion, generosity, kindness and morality — all of which she exemplified. Diane once created a living forest in her classroom so that children could experience how to find Jesus in nature. Every Christmas, Diane threw a huge birthday party for Jesus with her Sunday School students. Her dedication to Sunday School touched countless lives.

Diane was an active member of the Meherrin Indian Tribe of Ahoskie, North Carolina. She was proud of her Native American heritage and characteristically developed engaging lessons for the School Day program during the annual Meherrin Indian Tribe Powwow.

Known for her strong Christian faith, Diane lived a life characterized by generosity, kindness, and creativity. She loved reading scripture and Christian romance novels, watching Hallmark movies, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Diane reveled in planning days with her grandchildren, making sure that every moment was packed with fun and enrichment of some kind.

No one ever missed a birthday cake on their birthday. A queen of DIY, Diane was beyond handy. When it came to small household repairs and renovations, she did it all - and if she didn’t already know how, she learned. In her own quiet, humble way, she was a towering inspiration. Diane lived a life of service, love, and dedication to her family and community. Her legacy will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Preceded in death by her husband, siblings Dorothy Diggs Livingston and Charles C. Diggs IV, and parents, Diane is survived by her brother, Victor Diggs Jr.; her children Donna Byrd, Melanie Byrd, Rosslyn Singleton (Marcus), and Melvin "Bobby" Byrd, Jr.; her daughter-in-love, Vivian; and her precious grandchildren Micah, Avery, Marcus, Joshua, Kia Diane, and Keanu “Zy."

Diane Diggs Byrd's legacy of service, education, and love continues to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

To honor Diane’s life and legacy, a funeral service will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA, on October 24, 2024, at 1:00 pm. The interment in Arlington National Cemetery is pending. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Donations can be made online at Red Cross Memorial Donations (https://www.redcross.org/donate/memorial-donations.html/ ) or by mail.