Diane Manly, 63, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Saturday evening, December 2, 2017, at a local hospital surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on Aug. 9, 1954 in Daltona, a daughter of William “Judson” Manly Jr. and the late Nann Eldridge. Along with her mother, she is also predeceased by her sister, Lisa Manly.
Diane was a 1971 graduate of Dalton High School and obtained her Master’s Degree from The University of Georgia. She was fiercely independent and lived life at her own pace but remained devoted to her family, including keeping traditions going. Diane was proud to be a Georgia Bulldog in a sea of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. She was a retired school teacher, having taught special education in the Mineral Bluff, Rome, and DeKalb County Public School systems. She loved children and always wanted to stimulate their creativity, intelligence, and social skills through interactive games, toys, and books. Diane was a voracious reader and enjoyed the arts, often creating custom art pieces for her friends and family. She was devoted to a special cat and relished the wildlife surrounding her home. In recent years, Diane had been the primary caregiver for her sister and mother.
She is survived by her father, W. “Judson” Manly Jr.; sister, Julie Chapman; brother, Mike Manly and his wife Angie; nieces, Kathleen Kimpton, Maegen Manly, and Maggie Cantrell; nephew, Mark Manly; and goddaughter, Abby Boorstin Kirk, whose relationship with Diane exceeds the limit of words. Diane also greatly valued her loving relationships with her great-nephew and great-niece Lane and Callie Cantrell, as well as her godson, Elliot Picard. Many more extended family members and special friends also survive.
Diane will be laid to rest in the Manly family plot at West Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements are by locally owned and operated Ponders Melrose Chapel & Dalton Crematory, Dalton, GA. (706) 226-4002