Mrs. Dianne Williams Garrick

Dianne Williams Garrick lived and loved fearlessly, and left us far too soon on Saturday, August 4, 2018, surrounded by loving family and friends. Born in Marion County, Alabama, Dianne grew up in Hamilton. Her parents Jimmy D. and Maxine Williams raised a large, loving family of a boy and four girls: Jimmy Lowell, Frankie, Patty, Dianne, and Jackie. Dianne graduated from the University of Alabama, attending classes with her sister Patty. She earned a degree in Home Economics with a minor in English. Dianne married Randell Tice and, in 1977, they welcomed a son, Ryan. Affectionately, Dianne referred to Ryan as her “bijou;” a jewel, highly prized. Though they did not remain married, Dianne said she would always be grateful for their time together because it gave her Ryan, her bijou. Dianne held a special place in her heart for children. They were drawn to her exuberant personality, indulgence of all things silly, and her respect for them as individuals. She was fascinated by them and spoke to them as equals and children adored her for that. In her professional life, Dianne excelled and made many lifelong friends along the way. Her final job, as executive assistant at Haggai Institute, was a position of both great responsibility and adventure. It allowed her to exercise her superb professional skills while indulging in her fascination for new cultures and experiences. In 1997, Dianne met David and began a new chapter of her life. Accompanied by her son, Ryan, and David’s children, Melanie and Andrew; Dianne and David married in 1999 at the Little Chapel of the West in Las Vegas. Dianne and David were polar opposites in some ways, yet they shared a devotion to family, a sense of adventure, and a wicked sense of humor. Bringing two big personalities under one roof isn’t always easy. But, their love for life and for each other took them on a world of adventure. With the marriage, Dianne gained two children to love and a new friend in David’s former wife, Roxanne. In time, Melanie married Alex and Andrew married Meg. From these marriages came children and Dianne was overjoyed. Kaitlyn, Lorelei, and Ella brought enormous happiness to Dianne’s life and she was anticipating the arrival of her latest grandchild, Ava, this fall. Early in life, family and friends began calling Dianne, “Mousie.” The nickname stuck and to this day, she was as likely to answer to “Mousie” as “Dianne.” It should be noted that the name Dianne comes from the Latin for “divine,” meaning superb, marked by the highest degree of grandeur, excellence, and brilliance. Dianne was all these things, as well as Mousie. She could engage in elevated conversation with intellectuals, charm anyone with her wit and humor, and blend seamlessly into the most cultured or professional settings. She could also lose herself in long conversation and family gossip on the phone, sprawl upon the floor with a child and a pack of crayons, and lovingly cook a feast of field peas, beans, and cornbread to nourish those who were fortunate enough to find a seat at her table. Dianne was a woman of wit, beauty, charm, and intelligence. She left us too soon, but made the most of her life and time among us. We are better for having her in our lives. Most importantly, she loved and was loved in return. Dianne is survived by her husband, David Garrick; son, Ryan Tice (Amanda); David’s children, Melanie Hill (Alex) and Andrew Garrick (Meg); mother, Maxine Childers Williams; brother, Jimmy Lowell Williams (Tricia), sisters, Patty Sandlin (Jerry) and Jackie Sims (Ricky); grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hill, Lorelei Hill, and Ella Garrick; nieces and nephews, Shanna Casey Brown (Randy), Krystal Casey Sounders (Tony), April Wilson (Bert), Tyler Sandlin (Emily), Cayla Sandlin, Matt Sims, and Chase Sims; and a beloved array additional family and friends. Dianne's family wishes everyone to be comfortable, so casual attire appropriate.

Mrs. Dianne Williams Garrick

June 27, 1951 - August 4, 2018