Diane Whitmire

Eugenia Diane Whitmire passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Weatherford, Texas. Diane was born in Comanche, Texas, on August 28, 1945, to Myrtle Arbelle Russell Cheatham and Daniel Augustin Cheatham. She grew up in Sidney, Texas, and loved everything to do with learning and could read before she ever started school. During the summer of '55, on the 4th of July, Diane and her sister, Paula, had one of the biggest thrills of their lives when Elvis Presley made an appearance at the park in De Leon, Texas. He smiled and waved at them, and Diane would always laugh and say that he was probably waving at her sister since she was older, but that was ok, it was thrilling just the same. Diane attended Sidney High School where she was named All District in basketball in 1962, and graduated Valedictorian in 1963. Along the way she met and dated Gary Whitmire. They married in the Fall of 63' at the Sidney Baptist Church. They would soon start a family, having a daughter and 2 sons. Gary's work took them to Fredericksburg, Tx. where they would make their home and raise their family. Diane was a very loving and dedicated wife and mother. She was active in their church and also taught Sunday School. She was very outgoing and enjoyed playing on the women's community softball and basketball teams. She also played tennis. One of Diane and Gary's favorite things to do was go dancing with friends and family. As the kids got older and involved in activities and sports, they would go to cheer them on. Diane loved arrowhead hunting, antiquing, flea markets and yard sales. After her daughter graduated from Tarleton and the boys were almost done with school, she decided to pursue her dream of higher education and follow in her daddy's footsteps. She graduated Magna Cum Laude at Tarleton State University in August,1997, with a Bachelor of Social Work. She was also a member of Alpha Chi Natl' Honor Society. When her name was called at Graduation they said, "She is one of 3 generations of Tarleton Grads, but not necessarily in the order you might think." She went on to work as a counselor to elderly patients at De Leon Hospital in the Care Clinic. When her 1st grandchild came along she was ready to be a full time Grandma. As her grandchildren got older, the call to serve led her to become a Volunteer for CASA. She gave 16 years of loyal service, selflessly advocating for the children of Erath County and beyond.

Diane was known for the most delicious chocolate chip cookies, along with her chocolate pecan pies that were fought over at family gatherings. Her homemade sugar free vanilla ice cream was the BEST, and no one even missed the sugar! She was the sweetest Grandma and started a new family tradition for her granddaughters every Christmas, making giant sugar cookies shaped like Christmas trees for each to decorate. As our mom, she was the best we could have asked for. As a Grandma and as a friend, she was the kindest, the sweetest and so much fun. We are so blessed to have had you in our lives for the time we had. We will miss you so much until we meet again. We love you.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents, D.A. Cheatham & Myrtle Cheatham, husband Gary Whitmire, brother Rusty Cheatham, sister & brother in law Paula & Harold Kiser, brother & sister in law Larry & Judy Cheatham, brother in law Charles Oxley, sister in law Ruth Whitmire.

Diane is survived by daughter & son in law, Alynn & Bret Nance, son and daughter in law ,Wade & Tammy Jo Whitmire, son Blake Whitmire, granddaughters, Kristalyn & Ashlyn Nance, & Quincie & Rynn Whitmire, sister & brother in law Fleurette & Thomas Connally, sister in law Ann Oxley, brother in law Terrell Whitmire and numerous neices and nephews and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held for Diane Saturday June 14, at 2 PM in the Stephenville Funeral Home chapel. Following the service, the family will have a reception in the Stephenville Funeral Home family center.