Diane Theresa Shores Chapman was born on February 28, 1941, to Louis Joseph Sr. and Mildred Theresa Shores in Los Angeles, California. She was the third of five children born to this union. Diane attended Holy Name School of Jesus, Bishop Conaty All Girls School, and Los Angeles City College. Although she received her First Holy Communion at the age of five, later in life she was baptized at Bethany Baptist Church, a reflection of her deep and enduring faith.

In 1959, Diane married Kenneth J. Raymond and welcomed her first child, Renee P. Raymond. The following year, in 1961, she married Tillman Kirk Chapman Sr. From this union, she was blessed with three children: Angelle M. Chapman in 1962, Daniel J. Chapman in 1963, and Lisa M. Chapman in 1966. Diane was a strong and structured mother, raising her children with love, discipline, and respect for self as well as others. Her children’s well-being was always her priority. And through her unwavering devotion and tough love, she molded them into the people they are today.

Over the years, Diane worked in mostly financial fields. She began at Bank of America, later Family Savings and Loans and then joined Thrifty’s Drugstore Corporation, where she became one of the first African American women hired at the company’s Main Office. She later worked as a bookkeeper for a private company. Her employment advanced and she became a supervisor and then manager in the Special Services Department at both Delta Airlines and United Airlines at LAX. After a long and successful career, she retired on her 65th birthday in 2006. She also was a volunteer at Challenger’s Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles from the 1970s through the 1990s.

Diane was a devoted mother and grandmother, known for her quick humor, deep wisdom, and abundant affection. She stepped in and took the reins in assisting with raising two of her grandchildren for some years. Diane nurtured curiosity in her children, sharing her love of reading, astrology, music, learning, and traveling internationally. Her elegance and beauty were matched by her vibrant spirit. Diane carried herself with grace, whether enjoying music by Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, and Dinah Washington or preparing for the day with her signature style and presence. She was known for her signature dishes, including her “suicide salads” and inventive “surprises” made from leftovers, which became family favorites. She also had a special place in her heart for her beloved four-legged companions, J.J. and Gucci—her “babies,” #IYKYK.

In her final years, Diane was cared for with deep love and devotion. Her daughter Lisa, (with the support of  Riccy and Trulysia), served as her primary caretaker for more than fifteen years. Surrounded by family and friends, she remained safe, cherished, and uplifted. Her lifelong best friend and “birthday twin,” Mary “Toot,” brought her pure joy even in her last days. 

Above all, she leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and joy. Her family finds comfort in believing she is reunited with her parents, her husband Tillman, her brother Joe, her twin sister Esbeth, her sister Marsha, her son Daniel, her Seattle children Tillman Jr., Linda, Terry, and Clyde, and her granddaughter Amber Marie free and at peace. Diane’s memory will continue to live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know her.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Renee (Patricia), Angelle (Renee), and Lisa (Riccy); her Seattle children: Larry (Virginia), Cathy (Duane), Kim (Kenny), Kirk (Rodelyn), and Karl (Monique); her brother Michael; and her BFF/sister of more than 50 years, Mary “Toot.” She is also survived by her grandchildren William, Keenan, Trulysia, Marie (Eldridge), Corey (Courtney), Laura, Sean, and Amber (Jonathan); great-grandchildren Alonzo III, Jonnie Rae, Ivy, Ella and Emmie and one great-great-grandson, Lonzo; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who loved her dearly.