Diane W. Douglas

Diane Willis Douglas, 82, of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 28, 2026.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Diane was born on May 30, 1943, to the late Bertha and Henry Willis. She was raised in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she graduated from Franklin County High School in 1960. Diane continued her education at Kentucky State University, earning her bachelor's degree in 1964. During her time at KSU, she became a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., remaining an active and dedicated member of both her sorority and the KSU Alumni Association throughout her life.

In a partnership that spanned decades, Diane married her kindergarten classmate and high school sweetheart, Philip Douglas. Following Diane's move to Cleveland to begin her teaching career, Philip joined her there, and the two were wed before his military service in the U.S. Army. Together, they built a life in Ohio and raised two children, Felice and Adam.

Diane was a passionate and devoted educator. She spent her career shaping the futures of students at John Hay, Rhodes, and Lincoln-West High Schools, teaching typing, business English, and secretarial skills. She concluded her distinguished career leading the Legal Secretarial program at Jane Addams Business Careers Center.

Even after her retirement in 2002, Diane remained a cornerstone of her community. She applied her expertise as a property manager and gave generously of her time to the Clarkwood Neighborhood Association and the Cleveland Retired Teachers Association, serving on both boards. A lifelong believer in the power of education, she also volunteered as a tutor for students at Paul Revere Elementary School.

Diane was preceded in death by her husband, Philip; her parents; and her brother, Darrell Willis. Her legacy of service and kindness lives on through her daughter, Felice; her son, Adam (Sourya); and her cherished granddaughters, Camia and Alexandra. She also leaves behind a host of loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends.