DIANNE STIFF

DIANNE STIFF Dianne Henry Stiff passed away on October 22, 2023, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, Texas surrounded by loving family and friends. Dianne was born January 9, 1945, in Sherman, Texas to Lloyd and Gloy Henry. She was a devoted daughter, mother and friend. Dianne was a mascot for the Austin College football team as a young girl, where her father played football. She later became a Denison Yellow Jacket cheerleader in High School and was named Miss DHS her senior year in 1963. While attending the University of Texas at Arlington, she tried out and was awarded a spot in the musical To Broadway with Love that premiered at the 1964 - 1965 World's Fair in New York. Upon returning to Texas, she settled in Dallas and met and married Max Derden, of which they had three daughters together. Once the girls were in school, Dianne furthered her education and received her college degree at East Texas State University in 1978. She began her successful journey as a schoolteacher, where at one point she was named teacher of the year by the state of Texas. In addition to teaching school, she also taught children's Sunday school at Trinity United Methodist Church in Denison, Texas for many years. Dianne had a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ; her kindness and compassion came from that source of her faith. She never turned away from anyone in need. She had many close friends, and they would all agree that Dianne's joy of life was contagious and when she walked into a room, she owned it with that beautiful smile. In 1972 she married Alton Dwayne ("Butch") Hudgins. They owned several businesses in Denison & Sherman. From their business proceeds they assisted several of their young employees in obtaining college educations. They adopted local families at Christmas and provided holiday meals and gifts and also rescued an amazing number of homeless and abused animals and paid for their medical vet bills and long-term boarding. Alton passed away in 1986, at the age of 47, after a short battle with cancer. In 1990 Dianne married Jim Price Stiff, City Manager of Denison. After several years in Denison, he accepted the position of City Manager in Bonham, Texas, where they resided until 2017 at which time they relocated back to Denison, Texas due to Jim's illness. Jim passed away in 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Dianne loved animals, especially Dogs. Over the years, she fostered many Japanese Chen fur babies. She wanted her four special Chens to be mentioned in her obituary: Broadie, Burt, Zira and Thor; they were all tiny treasures with so much love to share with her. Her Facebook page is filled with so many photographs of her delightful little ones. Dianne also had a passion for helping children with childhood diseases. She contributed monthly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for over 30 years. Dianne was preceded in death by her grandparents Robert & Maude Richardson, Frank and Lois Henry, parents Lloyd and Gloy Henry, husbands Alton Dwayne Hudgins and Jim Price Stiff and special adopted grandson Johnathan Burkhardt. She is survived by her daughters and sons in-law, Amy Derden Oates (Greg Oates) of Whitesboro, Texas; Paige Hudgins Schwartz and fiance (Dr. Kevin Seex) of Churchpoint, New South Wales, Australia; and her amazing daughter Traci Dawn Derden residing in Gainesville, Texas. Granddaughters, Savannah and Piper Schwartz, of Churchpoint, NSW Australia. Her sister and Brother-in-law, Robbie and Sid Auten of Denison, Texas; Nieces, Heather Auten Rumsey (Brain Rumsey) of Fairview, Texas and Holly Auten Smith (Kyle Smith) of McKinney, Texas. And so many cousins, of which she loved dearly. A celebration of life service will be held to honor the Life of Dianne Henry Stiff on Saturday November 4, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Trinity Fellowship Church located at 101 Hwy 69 in Denison, Texas. All family and friends are invited to remain after the service for food to continue the celebration of Dianne's life. Condolences may be registered online at www.fishersfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dianne's name to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org. All arrangements are under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home in Denison, Texas. Flowers may be delivered directly to Trinity Fellowship Church or Fisher's Funeral Home.