Diana Carol VanBibber Reed

Diana Carol VanBibber Reed October 3, 1955 – February 7, 2024 Diana, an avid reader of romance novels, entered into eternal rest, surrounded by family, on February 7, 2024, after a long illness. Diana’s own love story began four years before she was born. Her mother walked into a St. Albans grocery store and saw a cashier showing off her infant son. “You’re so handsome,” she declared, “If I have another daughter, I hope she grows up to marry you!” Four years later, Opal and Leawood VanBibber welcomed Diana into their family as their fifth child. With her birth, their family was complete. Diana grew up in Green Valley and attended the Green Valley Church of God with members of her family. In fact, most of her nearby neighbors were relatives, so she was always surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins. As an adult, she settled on the same hill she had been raised on and would be surrounded by brothers, a sister, and nieces and nephews. She graduated from St. Albans High School in 1973 and was engaged to her high school sweetheart. However, she had always promised her mother she would not marry on her eighteenth birthday. So, on October 12, 1973--nine days after blowing out eighteen candles on a birthday cake--she married Randolph Lee Reed, the very same little boy her mother had once adored! Every two years Randy and Diana expanded their family. In 1975 their son Randolph, Jr. was born. 1977 brought the birth of their first daughter, Amanda. And in 1979, their youngest daughter, Sarina, entered the world. Diana worked as an administrative assistant for many years, much of it at West Virginia State University. She would eventually decide to work on securing a teaching degree and began taking evening classes. Even with her busy schedule, she never missed an opportunity to see her children play sports, March in the band, or act in a church play. Graduating from WVSU was a proud moment for her and her family. She worked as a substitute teacher in Kanawha and Putnam Counties before returning to school and receiving a master’s degree from Marshall University. She would spend the next few years teaching courses at West Virginia Junior College and West Virginia Community College. Later, she took a position as bookkeeper for International Industries and then Dickinson Fuels. Nothing mattered more to Diana than her family. The only thing that suited her better than motherhood was when she entered her Grandmother Era. She loved spending time with her six grandchildren and delighted in having most of them live close to her. No one was safe from a “Grandma Hug”, but no one wanted to be. Those hugs had the ability to heal and soothe any ailment and will be sorely missed by all. She was active at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church where she raised her own family with a strong faith. After retiring, she gave more of her time to her church’s ministry, becoming the treasurer of the Jean Cale Women’s Circle and director of the St. Peter’s Food Pantry. Even while struggling with a terminal illness, she worked hard to secure an $8000 grant for the food ministry. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with a genetic disorder which led to advanced liver disease. This did not stop her from camping with her husband of 50 years, hugging her grandchildren, and ensuring her volunteer work was being completed. She was even looking forward to exploring the American West in a teardrop camper this summer. She leaves a hole in our heart, but she also leaves us with a faith which tells us her pain is gone, her tears are wiped away, and we’ll see her again. Diana was preceded in death by her parents Leawood and Opal VanBibber; sister, Ramona McClannahan; three brothers, Gary, Dale, and Keith VanBibber; and two nieces, Christina McClannahan, and Pamela Carper. She is survived by her husband, Randolph Reed, Sr; son, Randolph Reed, Jr.; daughters Amanda Reed and Sarina (Lenny) Parker. Six grandchildren, Anthony Elkins, Dakota Church, Savannah Adkins, Victoria Adkins, Benjamin Reed, and Seneca Parker; several nieces and nephews, and many friends and family who loved her dearly. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, February 12, at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral home, St. Albans. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 13, 12024 at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, 2601 Forrestal Avenue, St. Albans with Pastor Jacob Henley officiating. Burial will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Peter’s UMC Food Pantry. You may visit Diana’s tribute page at BartlettNichols.com to share memories or condolences with the family. Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, family owned and located at 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans is honored to serve the Reed family.

Diana Carol VanBibber Reed

October 3, 1955 - February 7, 2024