It is with a heavy heart we announce that Dianna Sue Thompson Reyes, 72, of Fayetteville, AR, peacefully passed away on July 23, 2022 surrounded by family after a difficult battle with Corticobasal Degeneration.

Dianna was born on May 17, 1950, to Murl and Nadine Thompson in Cabool, Missouri. After graduating from Elkins High School in 1968, she completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at the University of Arkansas 1970 in only 2 ½ years. She later completed her Master of Education in 1976.

Dianna dedicated 42 years as an educator at Elkins and Fayetteville Public Schools. She taught K-6 and made a meaningful impact on the lives of children at Elkins, Jefferson, Bates, and Asbell Elementary. Her legacy will always be remembered, as she brought joy to classroom learning and inspired children to believe in their own potential.

Dianna loved to cook and hosted many large holiday family gatherings at “the cabin” she built on the family farm with her father in the late 70s. The cabin was truly her favorite place to relax, embrace nature, and be with family. Additionally, she loved crocheting, knitting, sewing, and later in life, unlocked new talents painting nature scenes and family portraits.

Additionally, Dianna was a talented singer and piano player. When she was a student, the music teacher at Elkins High School, Florence Williams, recognized her raw talent and paid for her to have private voice lessons. She played the piano for many years at Black Oak Baptist Church and sang solo hymns each week. She had the most beautiful opera style voice – powerful enough fill an auditorium acapella, yet expressive and full of emotion.

She was a member of Sang Avenue Baptist Church, Red Hat Society, and Daughters of American Revolution. She also was a member of organizations for educators such as Kappa Kappa Iota and Delta Kappa Sigma. She was nominated and recognized in several publications of Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

After retiring from teaching in 2014, Dianna’s health began to decline, and she spent time with her grandchildren Brogan & Maelynn. Nothing made her smile more than snuggles from her two beautiful grandbabies.

Dianna was predeceased by her parents, Murl & Nadine Thompson, and her brother Jerry Thompson. She is survived by her husband, Carlos Reyes, sister Ruth Florer, children Carlito, Dyanna Elizabeth, Sonya, and Carlo, and grandchildren Brogan & Maelynn.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Grant Florer, Heather Rhoads, Candace & William Thompson, Stephen, Alexander, William, Jonathan and David Reyes, and grand-nephew Sterling Florer, grand-nieces Emmeline Florer and Catherine Rhoads, and many cousins.

Memorial services will be Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Beard’s Funeral Chapel (855 S Happy Hollow Rd, Fayetteville, AR  72701).

Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.