Dianna Yates Speas

Posted on April 25, 2018

Dianna Yates Speas, 62, a longtime educator in the Taylor County School District, died Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Doctors’ Memorial Hospital in Perry.

Born on Nov. 3, 1955, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., Dianna was the daughter of Bill and Norma Yates. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Alabama, where she was a member of Phi Mu social sorority. She then began her career in education, which included a span of 22 years with the Taylor County School District.

Dianna was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Perry. An active church member and parent volunteer at schools throughout the district, Dianna also enjoyed the friendship of ladies in the “I Dealt-A Club” bridge club.

She and her husband, Randy, were high school sweethearts at Manatee High School in Bradenton. They married on July 16, 1977. Four daughters were welcomed to their family, who maintain that their parents’ love story was “an integral part of our family history: from high school sweethearts, they attended college together and have been together ever since.”

The four daughters are: Christy Speas Shivers (Bill) of Columbus, Miss., Ashley Speas Biddy (Eli) of Perry, Heather Speas of Perry and Courtney Speas Gray (Dave) of Perry.

Other survivors include: her mother, Norma Yates of Bradenton; her brother, Les Yates of Grapevine, Texas; four grandchildren, William and Olivia Shivers, Kennedy and Kannon Gray; two step-grandchildren, Caroline and Carson Gray; and a host of nieces and nephews; her mother-in-law, Rita Speas, brothers-in-law, Danny Speas and Richard Speas; and sister-in-law, Rhonda Strawn, all of Bradenton.

Dianna was predeceased by her father, Bill Yates, and a brother-in-law, Michael Speas.

Family members will receive friends today, April 25, from 6 until 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 310 Plantation Road. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 26, at 3:30 p.m. also at First Presbyterian, with graveside services to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Perry (P.O. Box 837, Perry, FL 32348) or to the Dianna Yates Speas Memorial Scholarship, University of Alabama (checks should be addressed to Alumni Fund with memo denoting the scholarship name, mailed to National Alumni Association, Attn.: Deborah Parr, P.O. Box 861928, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486. Contributions are tax deductible.)

Burns Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.