Elizabeth "Diane" Melton

Elizabeth “Diane” Melton, age 72, of Donaldson passed away Monday, November 10, 2025. She was born September 29, 1953 in Pocahontas, Arkansas to the late Aubrey and Alma (Kirby) Moore. Diane enjoyed fishing, playing bingo, going to casinos, and hitting every yard sale between here and there. She could spot a yard sale sign a mile away. Diane mostly loved raising her grandkids and growling at her husband, Phillip. Diane should be acknowledged as a hero for saving the life of a young girl in a near drowning incident on the Rock River in Rockford, Illinois when Diane was a teenager.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey and Alma Moore; brother, Billy Allen Moore, Sr.; nephew, Jamie Allen Sharp; and brother-in-law, Mike Dempster.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Phillip Melton of Donaldson; children, Gary Bowerman and his wife, Wendy, of Donaldson, Christy Briggs of Donaldson, PJ Melton of Donaldson; grandchildren, Dakota Simpson and his wife, Lauren of Malvern, Dylan Simpson of Benton, Tylor Green of Donaldson, Michael Tosch and his fiancé, Elizabeth of Malvern, Chase Simpson of Donaldson, Noah Melton and his wife, Zoey of Emmet, Jaxon Melton of Donaldson, Maddox Morgan of Gurdon; great-grandchildren, Asher, Sawyer, and Charlee Simpson, Jamie Tosch, Amberlynn Melton, and one more in the oven; sisters, Maryetta Dempster of Camden and Sharon (Moore) Hutchins of New Orleans, Louisiana; nieces, Tracie DiCamillo Smith and Sonya Plyler; and nephews, JR DiCamillo and Little Billy Moore, Jr.; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, November 14, 2025 at Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel. Graveside services are 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens with Bryan Fendley officiating. Following the graveside service, the family will gather at Ouachita Community Center, 120 Highway 222, Donaldson, AR 71941.

Arrangements are by Smith Family Funeral Home-Arkadelphia, www.smithfamilycares.com.