Dunavant, Katheryn 1943-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
With love, gratitude, and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Katheryn “Diane” Griswold Dunavant, who was called home to be with our Lord on Dec. 2, 2025. Born on Feb. 12, 1943, Diane brought kindness, beauty, and grace into every space she entered.
Her warm spirit was evident early in life, she was voted “Most Popular” by her classmates at Central High School in 1960. She was honored to be crowned Miss Junior Miss St. Joseph and represented her city in the state beauty pageant. She attended the University of Missouri, where she was a proud Delta Delta Delta and continued to shine, both academically and socially, graduating with honors in three years.
Diane met the love of her life, Tom Dunavant, when she was just 15, and the two married in 1964, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with devotion, joy, and faith.
Diane leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her: her husband, Tom Dunavant; her daughter, Debi (Chuck) West, Hilton Head, South Carolina; her daughter, Leslie (Jason) Brennan, Plattsburg, Missouri; and her granddaughter, Carson (Jack) West, Hilo, Hawaii; as well as nieces and nephews who she adored.
She is reunited in Heaven with her beloved grandson, Croy Wes; her parents, Anna Barton and Glennan Griswold; her sister, Frances Starke, an embrace she has long awaited.
A gifted educator, Diane shared her brilliant mind and caring heart with countless students over her teaching career in both Missouri and Pennsylvania. She was also a dedicated Chapter FP P.E.O. sister, finding deep friendships and purpose within the organization.
Diane loved tennis, shopping, reading, bridge, mahjong, and golf, where she started a 9-hole women’s group at both Merion Golf Club and at St. Joseph Country Club, but above all, she loved people! Her friendships were lifelong, her laugh was infectious, and her light was immense. She lived with grace, gratitude, and unshakeable faith.Although she will be deeply missed, we find comfort in knowing she is free from pain and wrapped in the eternal peace she so richly deserves. Diane was, and will always be, our beautiful angel. Proverbs 31:29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the donations can be sent to the National Urea Cycle Disorder Foundation in memory of her grandson, Croy, or Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph.
Online guestbook and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
