On September 23, 2009, Dianne Marie Richardson was called to heaven in Santa Barbara, California after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Dianne was born in Memphis, TN, on October 14, 1947, to Jimmie Louise Austin and George W. Sykes.

Dianne is survived by her husband Mack Guy Richardson, daughters Angela Michelle Richardson and Courtney Anne Richardson, son Marcus Guy Richardson and his fiancee Kyleen Paige Kenney and one granddog Sugar Richardson. Dianne is also survived by sister Pamela (Dave) Coleman, brother Ender (Tammy) Austin Jr., nieces and nephews Ender (Lenita) Austin III and Joycelynn Austin of Las Vegas, NV, Shanon and Alfonzo Hayes of Memphis, TN, and one great niece Chanel Hayes of Memphis, TN, and several other relatives.

Dianne graduated from Douglas High School in 1965 in Memphis, TN, and earned her bachelors degree in Sociology from Chapman University. She was an educator for more than 28 years, teaching in special education and communicable handicapped classrooms at Cabrillo and Lompoc High School, La Canada and Los Berros Elementary School.

Dianne was active in the Relay for Life Cancer Awareness Walks and a member of Trinity Church of the Nazarene.

Dianne is remembered for her passion for education, her joy of reading and her love for family friends. She will be deeply missed by the friends and family whose lives she touched.

Visitation services will be held October 2, at the Starbuck Lind Mortuary Chapel from 4 pm to 7 pm. Memorial service will be October 3 at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 500 block of North D at 10 am. The reception will follow at the Family Life Center. Donations may be sent to Coast Hills Federal Credit Union to the Dianne Richardson Memorial Fund.