Dianna Foreman

Dianna was the firstborn of Dallas Gray Foreman Sr and Alla Rae Whitley Foreman on January 22nd 1948 in Beaufort County NC.

She is survived by her Sister Sherriee Beth, and husband Haywood Singleton of Pinetown, NC. Brother Dallas Gray Foreman, Jr and wife Mary Foreman of Washington, NC. Nieces Tasha Dian Traud of Greenville, NC, Crystal Lee Foreman of Farmville, NC, Beverly Gray and husband Matteo Hanson of Austin, TX, and Sarah Beth and husband Ray Gruezke of New Orleans, LA. Nephew Haywood Grant Singleton of Pantego, NC. One Great Nephew Riley Gray Singleton. Three Great Niece’s, Margaret Delaney Traud, Lillian Paige Traud and Mailee-Greer Alla D Hanson. She was married for a brief time in 1971 to Norman Parker who has preceded her in death.

She went to Pinetown Elementary and graduated from Bath High school in 1966. Dianna loved learning and received her first degree in nursing from Chowan University. She furthered her education by majoring in English and Spanish at Appalachian State University graduating in 1971. She completed her Education with her Masters from East Carolina University in 1982 finishing up with her Doctorate in religious studies.

Dianna taught locally for several years at Bertie High School, Creswell High School, Washington schools and most notably, her alma mater Bath High School for 15 years from 1974-1989. She became the principal at Mattamuskeet High School for two years. Then her beloved mountains called, and in 1999 she moved to Hickory NC. where she worked as a principal there at an elementary school. In 2001 She moved to Hendersonville, NC and completed her career at East Henderson High School as assistant principal retiring in 2006.

Dianna enjoyed learning, and took pride in being an educator and teaching others. She earned the reputation of being a good teacher, and a strict one as well! She loved her family, and most especially her nieces and nephews she loved as her own children. She will long be remembered as the fun auntie to the cousins as she would put on movie nights, and many other entertaining things for the children. Dianna enjoyed stringed instruments including the guitar, autoharp, psaltery and especially the hammered Dulcimer. She played this for her church especially at Christmas time. She enjoyed travel including several trips to Europe with school trips, friends and family. She loved reading books and watching movies. She loved living in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. She welcomed family and friends to visit anytime and enjoyed taking them gem mining, or playing tour guide. She was also an avid animal lover and doted on the many cats and dogs she owned over the years. She appreciated the comfort they gave to her. From school to church she made many friendships there. Including school friends such as Cheryl Dobson, and monthly lunch dates with Shirley Feagin. These meant a lot to her. Also, church friends including Ms. Ella Hodges, Dot Marshall, and notably, Christy and Rod Corn and their two sons Grant and Joshua who respected Dianna as a Grandmother figure.

Most of all she loved serving her Lord. Dianna always attended church wherever she lived and served him in different capacities. While in Hendersonville, she attended Refugee Baptist Church of Dana, NC. She sang in the choir, and after retirement, she found great pleasure in teaching the adult class Sunday school. She enjoyed the required research necessary to deliver an effective lesson. Her classmate Ms. Dot is quoted to say “Dianna was a friend to all, and will always be remembered for her knowledge she passed on to others. She will be missed by her class but we shall see her again.” Psalm 115:16 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

At her request, Dianna’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Foreman Family Cemetery on Friday, July 18th, 2025 at 2:00 PM Address: 681 Biggs Rd, Washington NC 27889. Contact Dallas and Mary with any questions 252-402-8508.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Refuge Baptist Hurricane Relief Fund by clicking HERE, or Blue Ridge Humane Society of Hendersonville by clicking HERE