Diann Thompson Burnett

Diann Thompson Burnett, age 78 of Zavalla, Texas, died on Friday December 2, 2022. Diann was born September 25, 1944, in Springfield, Illinois to Audrey Thompson and was raised by her grandparents, Amos and Alice Thompson of Thayer, Illinois.

She married William Burnett on December 31, 1961 and spent the first years of their marriage in Germany, where Bill was stationed with the Army. The two welcomed their first-born daughter there, Tobie Jo, and were able to tour much of Europe together before returning to the States as a family of three.

Once back in the U.S., Diann bred, raised and showed Siberian Huskies nationally for more than 10 years and welcomed two more children, Traci Dee and Tony Ray, before relocating to Texas. Upon moving to Texas, Diann worked at Town and Country Animal Hospital, Merchants Alarm, and The Pampered Pet before retiring from Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

In her free time, Diann loved to fish and was an active member and club Secretary for S.A.L.T, the Saltwater Anglers League of Texas, for which she managed the club’s annual Memorial Day tournaments and monthly newsletter.

Her current loves included her cat, Peewee, feeding and watching the birds that flocked to her back porch, her hummingbirds and watching the deer, foxes, and raccoons venture among her treasured mums in the backyard. Diann was a loving mother, fun grandma, and proud great-Grammie.

She is survived by 3 children; her daughter, Tobie Jo Rainwater and husband Kraig of Zavalla, Texas; daughter, Traci Dee Toler and husband James of Richmond, Texas; and son, Tony Ray Burnett and wife Jamie of Zavalla, Texas; 8 grandchildren; Natalee Rae Rainwater, Katherine Elizabeth Schroeder and husband Avery, Dezirae Lorraine Burnett-McGee and husband John, Kristen Noēll Husband, Sarah McKenzie Toler, Brennan Ross Burnett and wife Allysha, Nathan Kraig Rainwater, and Dominique Yvette Burnett; 7 great-grandchildren; Jason Alexander Toler, Karleigh Rae Husband, Lincoln James Toler, Maddelyn Ruth Husband, Eloise Renee Husband, Murphy Jean Schroeder, and Lillian Diana Burnett.

Diann is also survived by her beloved cousins: Georganna Hagen and husband Jo, Fran Smith, Marie Collins, Mary Lou Seabolt, Margaret Bounds, Vicky Mollett, Loretta Jorn, Brenda Williams, Kathy Rea, Billie Jo Seabolt, Mark Seabolt, Mike Seabolt, Greg Thompson, and Alan Thompson; and special friends Josh Husband and neighbor Earl Weaver.

Diann is preceded in death by her grandparents, Amos and Alice Thompson, her mother, Audrey Thompson Fouts, and her beloved husband, William Jobe Burnett.

There will be a dinner held in Diann's honor on Saturday December 10, 2022 at 1:00pm and her memorial will be held at 2:00pm at Huntington United Methodist Church in Huntington, Tx. Following the service there will be a gathering at her house for those who wish to attend at 321 Parkside Dr. Zavalla, Tx.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you consider donating to Winnie Berry Animal Shelter using the following link: https://angelinacountyhumanesociety.org/donate/