October 2, 1942 — May 16, 2026
Susan Diane Smith Livsey (known as Momma and Grammie to her family) of Overton, TX, passed peacefully in her sleep into the waiting arms of Jesus on Friday, May 15, 2026.
Born October 2, 1942, to Jacob Weldon Smith, Sr. and Susie Marietta (Lyle) in Longview TX, Diane spent her first few years in the East Texas oil patch while her father served in the United States Army during World War II. Later she moved with her family to Houston. Diane graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1961 where she met Charles Alton “Buddy” Livsey. The high school sweethearts married on June 21, 1963, and so began their adventure that led them back to East Texas. They settled in Overton, TX where they raised their four children in Pirtle Community. They were members of Highland Park Assembly of God church in Kilgore for a few years before moving to Friendship Baptist. Diane worked most of her life, becoming the first female bus driver for Kilgore ISD when Buddy made a one dollar bet that his wife could drive a school bus just as good (if not better) than any man. Buddy won that dollar and Diane was hired! She also worked in the Kilgore Heights cafeteria for a time as well as TG&Y department store. After losing her husband in 1980, she also took in sewing for the public to supplement her income. Diane was a crafter. She could sew or crochet anything. She dabbled in ceramics, oil painting, and about a million other crafty things. When she wasn’t browsing the craft stores, she was working puzzles, reading novels, or watching movies. You could always interest her in a movie starring Clark Gable or John Wayne!
Diane is survived by three of her four children: Charles Livsey and wife Rae Marie, Stephen Livsey and wife Gayla, and Susan Bell. Ten grandchildren: Joel Livsey, Charlie Livsey, Meagan Livsey, Christian Livsey, Cheyenne Livsey, Emily Livsey, Christopher Bell, Jonathan Bell, Hannah Livsey, and Daniel Bell. Four great granddaughters: Evelynn, Nalani, Lilly, and Elora. Nieces Theresa Galland, Jessica Ellisor, Susan Amburn and nephew Joseph McMullen. Also, her “adopted daughters” Samantha Bradley and Missy Fields Medina. Diane was preceded in death by her husband Buddy, son Jeffrey, brother Jacob Weldon “Buster” Smith, sister-inlaw Terry Smith, nephew Charlie Mac Smith, her parents, and grandparents Charlie and Jessie Lyle. What a celebration heaven saw on Friday!
Diane will be cremated and placed next to her husband at Rock Springs cemetery in Gladewater, TX. In lieu of flowers her family asks that you consider a donation to a charity that works to understand and help those suffering from dementia and to support their caregivers. Even simply visiting with residents in a nursing home would be greatly appreciated and honor our mother. Our family would like to thank the staff at Arbor Grace Guest Care in Kilgore where our mom spent the last three years of her life. She made many friends there and was loved and cared for daily by their wonderful staff of caregivers. From the receptionist at the front door all the way back to the kitchen and housekeeping staff, our mother was treated like family and cared for completely. Thank you all so very much for everything. Thank you as well to Kindful Health Hospice of Longview. Hannah, Casey, and the many others that cared for our mom were wonderful. You truly are angels. Last, but not least, Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab, where our mother spent the final two weeks of her life, and Chambers of Sulphur Springs Hospice: You all made our mothers’ final time here comfortable. You immediately took her in as one of the family and showed her love and compassion. Thank you all so much.
A final thank you from her daughter….. The last few years have been the hardest I have ever faced. So many friends, family, and co-workers have all been there for me. You all know who you are. The way you would reach out and ask if I needed anything and would listen as I whined and cried. You let me vent and get angry at a disease that always wins….. Through it all, you stood by my side even if it was only text messages, just knowing someone was thinking about me and my mom was enough to help me power through. I am so thankful for these last few years. As strange as that sounds, I was able to get to know my mom more as I watched her slowly slip away. Dementia is a beast that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Even now, in her death, you all are still checking on me and taking care of her and me. I thank God for every single one of you. Nothing about the past four years has been fun or easy but I still praise God. I still thank Him for every minute of it. Through this disease, He has shown me what absolutely amazing things He can do! Praise Him! Thank you all so much and I love you all!
Susan
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
