TUPELO – Dianne Penson Terrell was born December 9, 1963 in Tupelo, MS to Ilander and Bessie Stegal Penson. Dianne accepted Christ at an early age at Mud Creek M.B. Church. There, she remained a faithful member until she relocated to Oxford, MS, where she then joined Harrisonville M.B. Church, serving in several different capacities. She later moved back to her hometown of Tupelo and joined White Hill M.B. Church where she joined the Usher Board and remained a faithful member until her time of transitioning.
Dianne was a graduate of Tupelo High School and furthered her education by attending Mississippi State University. She was a proud student of MSU’s graduating Class of 1985 and was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Dianne was employed with the Mississippi Department of Security in both Tupelo and Oxford, where she was a loyal and dedicated employee for 32 years. Dianne’s heart of gold was dedicated to assisting many who desired to work and excel in the workforce. After her years of service, she retired in 2019. After retirement, she continued employment with Walmart Neighborhood Market in the Human Resources Department until her health declined.
On October 6, 2007, one of the happiest days of her life, Dianne united in Holy Matrimony with Henry Odis Terrell of Oxford, MS. To this union, Dianne gained two daughters, two sons, and two grandchildren.
On Thursday, September 17, 2020, Dianne quietly departed this life to live eternally with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at the North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice. She was abundantly blessed to have her husband, parents, and a host of family members to assist in her care-taking during this journey. She was preceded in death by her brother, Melvin Penson.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband of 12 years, Odis Terrell; daughters, Candace Terrell, LaShunda (Javar) Pollard; two sons, Bryon Dodson and Trevor Dodson; and two grandchildren, Marquis and Maleigha; her loving parents, Ilander and Bessie Penson; sisters, Lucille Garner and Patricia (James) Shells, and a brother, Michael (Criffie) Penson. Dianne shared an extended family of her father-in-law, Mr. William Terrell, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Bernice (Charles) Webb, Bobbie (William) McEwen, Frances Bullock, Brenda (Napoleon) Dickerson and Dora Clark; brothers-in-law, Arthur Cohran, William (Kathy) Terrell, Michael (Lea Ester) Terrell, Christopher (Melody) Terrell, Randolph (Mae Catherine) Buford and Danny Buford. She also leaves a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and very special and loving friends.
A service celebrating her life was held Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel.
Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
