Diana Williams Dougherty, age 81, passed away on February 27, 2025 in Cypress, Texas after a short battle with an aggressive form of cancer.

She was born on May 26, 1943, in Pratt, Kansas, to    Ardith George Williams and Otha Alice Thurman Williams.  She grew up in Salina, KS and along with her beloved brother, Allan, attended Kansas State University, where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. When asked why she chose Kansas State University, her answer was that she wanted to follow her older brother Allan and be with him as the two were very close. She graduated from KSU and became a teacher, like both of her parents. She maintained a love for all things Kansas and Kansas State University, even while living in Texas.

She lived in Beaumont, Texas for over 30 years and was a devoted mother and teacher in the community.  As a teacher, she loved to foster a love of learning and encourage the innate curiosity within her students. She was a single mother for many years and spent many days taking her children fishing, to the rifle range and even had a small trailer on which to haul their 3 wheeler. Diana never quite learned to back the trailer and we would just unhook it if we needed to turn around! She went to great lengths to be sure Matt and Kate had a rich, fun-filled childhood and always encouraged the children to be involved in scholastic and church activities. She always spoke words of encouragement and life into them, through the tough times as well as the good. While attending Cathedral in the Pines Church, she met and married Wayne Dougherty.

Upon retirement from the Beaumont Independent School District, Diana moved to Cypress, TX in 2007 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She was a member of Cypress Bible Church and loved attending church and especially the Fellowship Sunday School class and Senior Saints lunch group. Diana especially loved her Wednesday morning McDonalds coffee with her church friends and talked about this often!

Diana's life was marked by her dedication to her family and community. Never one to talk about herself, she always wanted to know how others were doing. She was a great listener and truly an optimist who always saw the absolute best in people. She was kind, generous, and loving, especially to those in need. She absolutely loved to secretly bless others in her life. You could not be around Diana and not be happy!  She always had a smile and encouraged others to "remember the good times and not dwell on the negative."

Diana was very involved in the lives of her 5 grandchildren and loved being at their many volleyball games, dance competitions and other sports events. She was also a lover of animals and had many cats throughout her life. She loved to tell us stories about her childhood in Kansas and her beloved cat Dagwood. She loved her Lord and always trusted Him to provide her every need!

She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her and will be especially missed by her loved ones.

She is survived in this life by her husband, Wayne Dougherty, her beloved brother: Allan Williams of Fort Myers, FL, Dr. J. Matthew Sherwood and wife Giovanna of Richmond, TX, Katherine Doolen and husband Jason of Cypress, TX and her five grandchildren. Grandchildren include Spencer, Allison and Meredith Doolen and Braden and Briley Sherwood.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Family Association P.O. Box Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38803. www.afa.net

OR

Cross Trail Outfitters Youth Hunting & Fishing Club.

Guiding the next generation to Christ through the outdoors.

https://www.teamcto.org/donate (Select Texas fund Wilson-TX- Gary Wiatrek/Andy Arellano)