Dianne Odrene Hooks

Dianne Odrene Hynes (Hooks) was born on June 4, 1943 to Dorothy Ellen Jones and Solomon Hooks, Sr. in Kansas City, Kansas. She was the fourth of eight children, with four sisters and three brothers.

Growing up in Kansas City, Kansas, she carried her hometown spirit with her everywhere she went. From an early age, she stood out – smart, adventurous, full of life. A former college beauty queen with a radiant presence, she knew how to command a room and could charm anyone she met with her unique personality and sense of humor.

She graduated from Sumner High School and went on to attend college at Lincoln University and Texas Southern University, institutions that helped shape her lifelong interest in the arts and education. Graduating with a bachelor's degree, Dianne went on to build a dynamic life as an educator and entrepreneur and actively pursued her dreams in the entertainment industry – where she excelled as a singer, producer, manager, and vocal coach. She believed in talent, in possibility, and in doing things on her own terms.

A true free spirit, she loved music with her whole heart. She had a beautiful singing voice that could fill a room and unstoppable ambition to go along with it. She was creative, funny, and fearless. She loved having a good time and her laughter was memorable, her cooking impeccable, and her presence unmistakable.

She was the proud mother to Annjela, Gerald, Michael, Jamil, and Jasmine; and a loving grandmother to Princeton, Christian, Christopher, Alexus, Briahna, Jacob, Kellen, Kenedy, Jawan, Jaijanee and Lexington. She was also a great-grandmother to Cayson, Nawaj, James and Tristan.

Though she had no current spouse, she shared a chapter of her life in marriage that helped shape the family she cherished deeply. Everyone who knew her knows she adored her beloved dog, BJ, who brought her companionship and joy. Whether she was creating something delicious in the kitchen or singing along to her favorite songs, she lived life fully and marched to her own beat.

Dianne Odrene Hynes, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri, departed this life on February 7, 2026. Her legacy is one of strength, creativity, independence, and love. She leaves behind a family who carries her spirit forward… her resilience, her beauty, and her unmistakable determination to live her dreams. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

She leaves to cherish her beloved memory her five children: Annjela Hynes-Porter (Kevin), Gerald Hynes (Twyla), Michael Hynes (Stephanie), Jamil Thompson and Jasmine Thomas. She also leaves eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is survived by four siblings: Sharon Fletcher, Janet Jackson, Victor Hooks (Frenchye) and Debra Abram, along with several half siblings, many nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives and friends. She joins her siblings who were called home before her: Beverly Coby, Harold Hooks, Sr. (Wanda), and Gary Hooks (Cecelia).

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 20th, 2026, from 10:30am-11:30am at Metropolitan Baptist Temple, with a service to follow. Burial to take place at Chapel Hill Cemetery.