Diane Sterling was born December 10, 1951 to the late Jack and Velma Sterling of Chicago, Illinois. She made her transition on April 6, 2018 at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. She was the third of seven children—three sisters and three brothers.

She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age in Chicago, Illinois at the New Morning Star Baptist Church. After the family returned to Mississippi, Diane united with the Greater Dry Ridge M.B. Church.

For many years, she worked vigorously to provide and support her family. She was a great cook and an excellent housekeeper. She believed in cleanliness and would always put things in place. She always had her way of communicating with the youth. She spoke her mind and they listened. Diane had a unique character that will never be forgotten.

She leaves to cherish her memory: one son, Charles (Terrance) Johnson, Jr. of Magee, Mississippi; one daughter, Wendy (Michael) Brown of Jackson, Mississippi; three grandchildren, Davonte Brown, Tiajuana Johnson, and special granddaughter, Ashley Robinson; five great grands, Korie, Khilyee, Caiden, Brice, and Brielle; three sisters, Charlene (James) Durr of Mendenhall, Mississippi, Veronica (B.J.) Cooke and Carolyn Bethea of Magee, Mississippi; two brothers, Andrea (Glenda) Sterling and Kitty (Marilyn) Dampeer of Mendenhall, Mississippi; two uncles, Robert Dampeer, and Willie (Joyce) Dampeer; one aunt, Bonnie McCullum; a lifetime friend, Sarah Robinson Bell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother, Marshall (Darlene) Sterling.