Funeral services for Dianne Smith Slocum, of North Carrollton, were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11, in the Oliver Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Lanny Haley and the Rev. Owen Hitchcock officiated the service. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton.
Visitation was held Sunday, Feb. 11, from 1 p.m. until service time at Oliver Funeral Home.
Dianne Smith Slocum, 85, passed away Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at her home after health battles with laryngeal cancer some years ago and more recently leukemia and covid. She was born in the Teoc Community, to Percy and Louise Beckwith Smith on Aug. 6, 1938.
She is survived by her son, Steve Slocum of North Carrollton; his fiancé, Donnamarie McLaughlan; brother-in-law Roger Bennett; grandchildren, Kaleigh, Joey, Kaden, and William; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Milton Slocum; sister, Barbara Smith Bennett and parents, Percy and Louise Beckwith Smith.
Mr. and Mrs. Slocum were married on Apr. 20, 1957; and after living in Greenwood for one year, they moved to North Carrollton where they lived the rest of their lives. They became active in the community and the North Carrollton Baptist Church. George served as a town Alderman for over 20 years; and following his death, Dianne served as an Alderwoman and then Mayor. George Milton retired after working in maintenance supervision for the Leflore County School System for 30 years and Dianne retired after working for 37 years with Delta Electric Power Association. They also handled small private businesses of their own.
Dianne had a very outgoing personality and was known to complete in a dependable manner any project she took on. When the local log community house had fallen into disrepair some years ago, she spearheaded a fundraising campaign that raised enough funds to restore and stabilize the building, which today continues to be enjoyed by the community.
Throughout her life, she lent her support to many other projects and organizations. She was a member of the UDC, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution. Her friends and neighbors could count on her immediate assistance and compassion in any crisis or celebration.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org/donate
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona handled the arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.ofhwinona.com
