Diane Blanchard Hawkins

Diane Blanchard Hawkins, age 93, passed away November 10, 2025 at her home in Decatur, GA surrounded by her grateful and loving family.

Diane was born January 22, 1932 in Chicago, IL to Carroll G. and Esther E. Radebaugh. Like many families during this pivotal time, the Radebaugh’s moved often, including stops in Walworth WI, Los Angeles, and Memphis before settling down in Atlanta in 1947, where Diane graduated from North Fulton High School in 1950.

Gifted with a beautiful voice, Diane sang professionally at numerous Atlanta clubs and supper rooms in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. It was around this time that she became a paid singer in the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church choir, beginning a 75-year relationship with the congregation. Over that span, Diane sang in the choir 40 plus years, was confirmed to the Episcopal Church, served on the Vestry for multiple terms, and headed the Altar Guild.

In addition to being a loving mother and grandmother to her five children and six grandchildren, Diane was a voracious reader with a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. She was an unstoppable force in a game of Trivial Pursuit and could have made a serious run on Jeopardy had she decided to give it a shot. She was an active volunteer for many years at Zoo Atlanta and The Atlanta Union Mission, as well as an entrepreneur, founding The Apple Polishers, a party and event planning company, in the early 1980’s.

Diane is survived by her son Matthew Phillip Blanchard of Charlotte, NC, daughter Carol Elise Blanchard of St. Simons Island, GA, son Malcolm Riker Blanchard, Jr. (Sara) of Atlanta, GA, son David Parry Blanchard (Sarah) of Decatur, GA, and six grandchildren; Wes Kayyali, Allie Styers, Vivi Blanchard, Bo Blanchard, Grace Blanchard and Julia Blanchard.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Malcolm R. Blanchard (April 18, 1985), husband Curtis G. Hawkins (February 14, 2005), son Mark G. Blanchard (August 8, 2013), and her beloved sister and best friend, Carol Jean Blalock (March 25, 2020).

A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 11 AM at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308. A reception will follow in J. Coleman Budd Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, 3400 North Desert Drive, Atlanta, GA 30344. www.acfb.org.