Mrs. Diane Earls-Pritchett went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, September 15, 2024, in her home with her loving husband, whom she affectionately called "Boobie" by her side.  Diane was born January 28, 1950 in Prentiss, Mississippi and was the daughter of the late Lethaniel L. and Melvia M. Earls.

As a little girl, Diane traveled extensively with her parents overseas and abroad.  After her father's tour of duty ended overseas, Diane and her parents moved to Newport News, Virginia (Ft. Eustis) in 1957 from Metz, France.  While in France, Diane acquired the language so well from her playmates that she became proficient enough to interpret French for her parents.

Diane received Christ at an early age.  Diane, along with her mother, was a member of First Church of Newport News under the leadership of Rev. Dr. John Francis Williams.  Later becoming a charter member of the Messiah Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia, with Rev. Williams as her pastor.  As a young girl, Diane loved to sing in the choir at church and her signature solo selection was "How Great Thou Art" , of which Rev. Williams use to accompany her on the piano.

Diane was educated in the Newport News Public School system, where she attended Huntington High School.  She was later transferred to Newport News High School, where she very actively sang in the choir and was one of the first black students to be a part of the integration of Newport News High School.  Diane graduated in 1969.

After high school, Diane relocated to Detroit, Michigan, where she lived for over thirty years.  There she attended Marygrove College where she studied and became an Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) .  During her nursing career, Diane worked private duty nursing care for many years in Detroit, Michigan; Bon Secours Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, and a phlebotomist with Labcorp in Newport News, Virginia.  Diane also taught night classes as a Nursing Instructor at New Horizons Regional Education Center in Hampton, Virginia.  Diane had great joy learning and assisting her husband with his videography business (Video Techniques) in which she managed.

Diane loved life and she knew how to enjoy life.  She sang like an angel and loved to dance.  She was the life of the party but most of all, she loved GOD, her family, definitely her "Boobie" James "Sonny" Pritchett.  Where you saw one, you saw the other.  Those two had a love that was beyond compare.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Lethaniel and Melvia Earls; two brothers, Matthew H. Pate and Booker T. Jackson;

She leaves to cherish her loving memory; her husband, James "Sonny" Pritchett; two daughters, Lavinia Eley-Bouie, Marye Eley; two sons, LaKeith Boyd, LaShaun Boyd; her grandchildren, Tyronya Bryant (Devin), Kilron Eley (Jessica), Kiara Bouie, Ja'Zara Parker, and Tanesha Dennis; 9 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Edna R. Cannon (Greg), James C. Earls; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held Friday, September 27, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Second Baptist Church East End, 3303 Chestnut Avenue, Newport News, Va.  The Entombment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.

The family of Diane Earls-Pritchett will be receiving guest starting Monday, September 23, thru Saturday, September 28, 2024 at: 812 Newport News Ave., Hampton, Va., 23661.