Diane Bailey Allison

Diane Bailey Allison, B.A. ’70, of Waco, died on Sept. 20, 2024. She was born on Jan. 31, 1948, in San Antonio to Bessie and Claud Bailey.

Allison attended Baylor where she met the love of her life, Joel Allison, B.A. ’70, and the two were married on May 31, 1969. She graduated from Baylor in 1970 with a B.A. in elementary education, and she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. After graduation, she and Joel moved to San Antonio, where she taught third grade at Randolph Air Force Base while Joel served in the United States Marine Corps.

In 1972 they moved to Abilene, Texas, where Joel began his career in healthcare administration and Diane taught elementary school for two years. While in Abilene, their two sons, Brenton Joel and Blake Andrew, were born. Diane was active in her church, Bible study and the Junior League. Joel’s career led their family to St. Joseph, Missouri; Amarillo, Texas; and Corpus Christi, Texas.

While in Corpus Christi, God led the couple to pursue adoption and welcomed Celeste Jeannette into their family. The family settled in Dallas for 24 years. While in Dallas, Diane was very active in Park Cities Baptist Church, a sustaining member of the Dallas Junior League, a member of the Lake Highlands Women’s League and the Baylor University Women’s Council of Dallas, and served on the Dean’s Council of the Baylor Louise Herrington School of Nursing. She was also an active member of the church’s women’s Bible study. 

When Joel retired in 2017, it was her wish to move back to Waco. They joined First Baptist Church where Diane was an active member of the Adult 5 Sunday School Department and the women’s class. 

She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with family and friends, cooking for family and friends and going to their beach house in Port Aransas, Texas. One of her favorite things to do in Waco was early morning walks downtown and along the Brazos River through Cameron Park. She also enjoyed attending Baylor sporting events with Joel and friends.