Diana Lynn Rake

Diana Lynn Rake, born June 21, 1958, She was a beautiful soul who touched many lives in her lifetime. She departed this earth unexpectedly on January 26, 2025. Diana lived a life that cannot be described in words; she was a one-of-a-kind person.  People often referred to her as being beautiful and a light in the room. She was always the life of the party. Her family states that if you knew her, you would never forget her.

Diana is survived by her only daughter, Jena Rake, whom she often referred to as saying," there’s my girl". She was extremely proud to be Jena's mother and always made it known how much she loved Jena with her whole heart. They had an unbreakable bond; her oldest granddaughter, Kristen Emily Briggs, whom she loved dearly and had a tattoo dedicated to her. Diana often stated that what she loved most about her tattoo was who it represented; her other grandchildren, Ava Lynn Piggott , Elijah Piggott-Rake whom she called her Golden Boy because they share the same birthday; Wyatt river Rake, whom she nicknamed Rivey. The grandchildren state that she was the best grandma and very loving. Diana also had two great-grandchildren, Emory and Emmett Sampson-Briggs, whom she loved dearly.  She was so proud of her grandchildren; Jerry Rake, whom she was married to for 10 years and still remained close friends with; her dearest friend whom was like a second daughter, Melissa Varner Nutter, as well as Melissa's two daughters, Haley and Hannah, whom Diane loved like her own. A big part of Diana's life was her family and friends. She is also survived by her Loving Mother Evelyn Brooks, of North Carolina; her older sisters Debbie Huss of North Carolina, Deena Deem of Parkersburg, Anne (Beth) Valley of Maine; and one younger sister, Roberta Koons; several nieces and nephews whom she also loved and thought of often; and her dear friend Dawn (Winnie) Buskirk.

Diana was preceded in death by her mother and father, Audrea and Weldon Dowler, and her two younger sisters, Linda Rake Pasco and Cheryl Anne Rake Starsiak.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM with a memorial service starting at 1:00 PM at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, Green St. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, Green St. is honored to serve the Rake family.