- Date Of Birth: September 13, 1986
- Date Of Death: July 13, 2022
- State: Alabama
Ms. Diana Renee Reaves, age 35, of Valley, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at her home in Lanett, Alabama.
For years, she was “D” or “D-Nasty” later edited to “D-Nicey,” but her most recent and probably favorite was the name “Nana.” “Nana” was her endearing title coined by Emmie Lynn and later picked up by Raleigh Beckett. She valued people, thinking of them often and deeply. A fierce Love. An unforgettable daughter, sister, niece, aunt and friend, Diana spent her time as a singer, poet, plant lady, and the ultimate gift giver. Her Me-Mommy and Deddy and nieces and nephew were her pride and joy. She could always be found in search of the perfect next birthday gift for Steve-O or Mother’s Day gift for Ttam.
Right before her diagnosis, she said, “ . . .I was also experiencing revival (my “sunrise,” I often call it) in my soul. Diana would want you to know a few things in her own words, “God held me and carried me through it. I had surrendered everything. I couldn’t hold my head up.
I couldn’t imagine it. No more southern accent. No more singing (well). No more eating. (I live off of my feeding tube formula.) The list of “no more” is long. But the Lord redeems.” Now, Praise God that list is no more, while Diana lives forevermore with her King. Southern accent, famous smile, and beautiful singing voice redeemed. She explained “I’ve discovered something about myself on this journey. I like to stare darkness in its blob of a face. I let my humanity crumble, as it ALWAYS does. We’re just dust down here, after all. This is Christ in me. He behaved the same way before the sacrifice that saved us all.
And then I wait. I know it’s coming. Every single time, Love lifts me. When NOTHING else can help, Love lifts me up . . .
I’ve said this before. Scripture says children of our Great Love are MORE than conquerors.
Which means there’s more to the way we win. We aren’t normal conquerors. We’re “more than.” In fact, we win without having to fight at all. Which is why I never bought into that “fighting cancer” language that’s so popular. Sure, it’s a battle. But I never fought. Any strength I had to simply stand and breathe during the battle was Christ alone, in me, through me.
I’m pointing to HOPE. It’s all I know to do. In trouble, in happy times, I point to Hope. If you’re leaning on something else, I can’t even honestly wish you good luck. Truthfully, I pray you fall flat on your pretty face ASAP so you can snap out of your selfish delusions and tilt your entire being toward Heaven. Flesh and bone, heart and soul – my whole yet broken self is saved by Grace that is greater than all the overwhelming darkness down in the wells of hell we lower ourselves into. I am lifted, raised, cleansed within by God’s Great Grace.
A word for you “healthy” folks out there. Don’t feel too sorry for the meek and weak and mournful. They’re drawn closer and closer to the Comforter. And we will inherit the earth.
Instead, turn inward. Pray with all you have that you’re soon made merciful, peaceful, pure, and hungry for righteousness and Love instead of for your precious political bent, self-image, personal banners, etc.
As much as you pray[ed] for me to be healed, I pray for you to be split and tossed, as a dead log before it lands in the fire – then a thousand sparks joyfully popping into the air. Finally, broken down, singing the new crackle-song, receiving and giving warmth. The Flame – Everlasting Light – has come. God lives in those who are willing to burn.
Remember that to Diana “A sunset was no longer simply beautiful. It was wicked. Those deep, violent reds, oranges, and purples screamed at [her]. They disguised the truth–the dying of day.” She explained, “My world and life and all that I remembered, witnessed, or experienced contained poems.”
“Beyond blue air and cloud, the sun sinks, / rising in another’s sky, and on the shore, I listen…
I am quiet and calm as the gray lake / before rain . . .. I love this storm.” (Diana)
“I love this world, but not for its answers.” Mary Oliver
Thank you for praying for me. Now, pray for YOUR OWN healing. Your children’s healing.
Because your prayers have been answered for me. Don’t waste another thought here. I know my Compass. I know where to point.
God bless you. I love all y’all!” “Love leading me, with me, and following me. It’s an inescapable, omnipresent Love that is my God.”—
Diana was born in Opelika, Alabama on September 13, 1986, to Randy and Tammy Reaves.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Earl and Frances Stephens, and Calvin and Clara Reaves.
She was a graduate of Valley High School Class of 2005, where she was also crowned Miss Valarata. Upon graduating high school, Diana earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in creative writing from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. She was later accepted to the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus where she earned a master’s degree in poetry.
Diana is survived by her parents, Randy and Tammy Reaves, sister, Tamra (Daniel) Sriver and their children, Gracie Mae and Raleigh Beckett Sriver, brother, Stephen (Katie) Reaves, Aunt, Sheree (Craig) Bailey, Christoper Bailey, Lindsey (Brandon) Threadgill and their children, Emmie Lynn and Lila Marie Threadgill, Aunt, Shirley (Johnny) Adkins and their family Tiffany (Milton) Edwards, Brandon (Jennifer) Adkins, Uncle, Ronald (Denise) Reaves and their family Anslee, Alyssa, and Blake, Uncle, Bobby (Susan) Reaves and their family, Lamar (Susie) Reaves and their family; and her loyal four-legged companion, Ellie “Bean Bean” Reaves.
