Obituary for Dianna Marie Burney (Starr)
Dianna Burney's life was a testament to her unwavering spirit and ability to rise above the odds. She exuded resilience as a loving mother of four and friend to many. On January 17, 2023, she passed away at the age of 75 in Waxahachie, Texas, leaving behind a legacy of strength.
Dianna was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas to Leota and Mary Starr. She was beautiful and kind-hearted. She and her family were devout members of Calvary Baptist Church where she developed her passion for music. Her passion was nurtured by her mother, who encouraged her to play the piano from a very young age. This passion led her to play for church programs, sing in the church youth choir, and participate in recitals and piano competitions.
As a high-achieving student at Park Elementary School, and one of the first African American children to attend the school in the 1950s, she faced challenges during a time when integration in Kansas faced great opposition (Brown vs. Topeka Board of Ed., 1954). She then went on to attend Horace Mann Jr. High and graduated with honors from St. Mary's High School, an all-girls catholic school, in 1965. While at St. Mary's, she was one of the first African American girls to attend the school and was honored with being crowned Penny Queen. To hone her passions, she was active in the school choir and was featured in the local newspapers for her musical abilities, which opened the door to receive a music scholarship.
Throughout high school, Dianna stayed active with many social events including choir, high school balls, and debutantes. She caught the eye of a handsome young man, Chester Burney, and they became high school sweethearts. They later married in the late 1960s and had four children: Tara, Christopher (deceased), Chester, and Kellee. During their marriage in the early 1970s, Chester senior enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served a tour of duty. Tragically, Chester passed away suddenly, leaving Dianna to raise their children on her own.
Despite the loss, Dianna was resilient and strong, spreading love to those around her. She passed on her love for the arts and music to her children and grandchildren, sang them to sleep at night, and even developed a passion for writing poetry and children's books. She also had a green thumb for gardening.
Later in life, she moved to San Diego, California, and then Seattle, Washington, where she worked as a nanny. In Seattle, she met and fell in love with Alan Jones (deceased) and formed lifelong friendships, becoming known as "mama" to all who met her.
Dianna's warm smile will be deeply missed by those who loved her most. She is survived by her brother Donald Starr of Las Vegas, Nevada, her daughters Tara Sterling-Bone of Waxahachie, Texas; Kellee Burney of Charlotte, North Carolina; her son Chester Burney of Denver, Colorado; and a bounty of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to carry on her legacy.
Dianna was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas to Leota and Mary Starr. She was beautiful and kind-hearted. She and her family were devout members of Calvary Baptist Church where she developed her passion for music. Her passion was nurtured by her mother, who encouraged her to play the piano from a very young age. This passion led her to play for church programs, sing in the church youth choir, and participate in recitals and piano competitions.
As a high-achieving student at Park Elementary School, and one of the first African American children to attend the school in the 1950s, she faced challenges during a time when integration in Kansas faced great opposition (Brown vs. Topeka Board of Ed., 1954). She then went on to attend Horace Mann Jr. High and graduated with honors from St. Mary's High School, an all-girls catholic school, in 1965. While at St. Mary's, she was one of the first African American girls to attend the school and was honored with being crowned Penny Queen. To hone her passions, she was active in the school choir and was featured in the local newspapers for her musical abilities, which opened the door to receive a music scholarship.
Throughout high school, Dianna stayed active with many social events including choir, high school balls, and debutantes. She caught the eye of a handsome young man, Chester Burney, and they became high school sweethearts. They later married in the late 1960s and had four children: Tara, Christopher (deceased), Chester, and Kellee. During their marriage in the early 1970s, Chester senior enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served a tour of duty. Tragically, Chester passed away suddenly, leaving Dianna to raise their children on her own.
Despite the loss, Dianna was resilient and strong, spreading love to those around her. She passed on her love for the arts and music to her children and grandchildren, sang them to sleep at night, and even developed a passion for writing poetry and children's books. She also had a green thumb for gardening.
Later in life, she moved to San Diego, California, and then Seattle, Washington, where she worked as a nanny. In Seattle, she met and fell in love with Alan Jones (deceased) and formed lifelong friendships, becoming known as "mama" to all who met her.
Dianna's warm smile will be deeply missed by those who loved her most. She is survived by her brother Donald Starr of Las Vegas, Nevada, her daughters Tara Sterling-Bone of Waxahachie, Texas; Kellee Burney of Charlotte, North Carolina; her son Chester Burney of Denver, Colorado; and a bounty of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to carry on her legacy.