Diana Lynn Hicks

Diana Lynn (Long) Hicks was born December 21, 1956, in Buffalo, Missouri, the daughter of Robert D. (Bob) and Betty Long. Diana peacefully joined her Daddy and Jesus in Heaven on Monday, June 19, 2023, surrounded by her family at her home in Buffalo, Missouri, after a hard-fought battle with cancer for six years. At the time of her passing, Diana was 66 years and 6 months of age. Diana attended Long Lane Elementary School and then Buffalo High School, until she fell in love with her kid’s Daddy at the early age of 16, got married and moved to Texas with her Army husband. Diana was blessed with two little boys, Jeremy and Jason, whom were loved with unconditional love until the day she died. Diana was a rock through Jeremy’s diagnosis of cancer at the age of 8 and spent her whole life being his center and his best friend. Jason inherited Diana’s giggle, her love of life and the nursing/caregiver gene. Diana married Larry Hicks, and they celebrated 22 years together in April with their blended family of 6 children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and oh-so many puppies, who were all the loves of her life. Nothing made her happier than to have all of them in her house, where she fed them, fed them more and then fed them dessert. Diana started her career as a Medical Dispatcher for Mercy Emergency Services and spent 25 years doing a job she loved until she had to retire due to her health. Everybody who heard that voice over the radio loved “Momma D” and she made many life-long friends through her work. Her macaroni and cheese, her Christmas candy and her fruit pizza were well known and enjoyed amongst family and friends. Diana professed her Baptist faith at an early age and was baptized in the creek not far from her childhood home on a cold Easter morning. Diana attended Bible Baptist Church where she was loved by all, young and old. Anyone who met and knew Diana loved her, loved hearing her giggle and her beautiful angelic voice singing praises to God. Diana was preceded in death by her father, Robert D. Long. She is survived by her husband Larry Hicks; her children, Jason Wendlandt & wife Ashley, Jeremy Wendlandt, Julie & husband David Andrews, Joni & husband Jason Krider, John Hicks & wife McKenzie, and Jessica & husband Kyle Colson; eleven grandchildren, Brock Wendlandt, Jaley Wendlandt, Madison Andrews, Marlee Andrews, Carson Krider, Carly Krider, Alyssa Krider and Alexis Krider, and Ava Colson, Leo Colson and Rainleigh Lynch; her mother, Betty Long; her sister, Robin Sharpe & husband Kevin; her brother, John Long & wife Melanie; and many nieces and nephews and extended family and special friends. Diana was a ray of sunshine in so many people’s lives and a Godly woman who earned the respect and love from many family members, friends and co-workers in the community who will all dearly miss her. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in the Bible Baptist Church with Pastor Jerry Bone officiating. Escorts will be Brock Wendlandt, Jon Hicks, John Long, Robbie Oliver, Brad Stanifer, and Kevin Sharpe. Honorary escorts will be Jason Wendlandt, Jeremy Wendlandt, Leo Colson, Carson Krider, Kyle Colson, Jason Krider, David Andrews, Bill Hicks, Carl Hicks, Donald Hicks, Bo Noodwang, and Gary Connor. Interment will be in the Maple Lawn Cemetery under the care and direction of the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Awana Ministry at Bible Baptist Church.

Diana Lynn Hicks

December 21, 1956 - June 19, 2023