Diana Wane Hinton

Diana Wane Hinton, 73, of Water Valley, MS died Thursday, March 9, 2023, at her home in Water Valley, MS surrounded by loved ones. She was born September 20, 1949, in Cleveland, MS to the late Lavert Wayne and Edna Mae (Lovelady) Hill.

Diana graduated from Oxford High School in 1967. Afterwards she traveled for a while, visiting many places, living in San Francisco, New Orleans and Galveston Island, Texas. Upon returning to Mississippi, she planted some roots around Hattiesburg where Seth, the light of her world was born. She received a bachelor’s in education from the University of Southern Miss in 1991. While living in Hintonville, Diana began her teaching career in McClain, MS, where she taught science and language arts to middle school students. In 2001, she and Seth moved to Water Valley, where she taught at the high school, until her retirement in 2011 and continued to sub until 2016. If you asked her students, most would say Mrs. Hinton was their favorite teacher. Diana strongly believed in political and social justice. She participated in the 1963 March on Washington, where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famed “I Have a Dream” speech. She also assisted in the Bill Clinton presidential campaign. Diana was a talented genealogy sleuth, making strong connections with many relatives, especially reconnecting and growing a significant bond with her beloved cousin, Carol whom she grew up with. Diana was actively engaged with an expansive group of friends on social media, where she managed many local resale groups. She enjoyed searching for treasures often considered as trash by others and yard sales, always with an eye out for a special rabbit to add to her collection. Diana found much comfort and support from her online community where she developed many deep connections all of whom the family expresses utmost gratitude for, especially during her long battle with cancer. Diana was loved by many near and far all of whom will miss her dearly.

Diana is survived by one son, Everett “Seth” Hinton; one sister, Beverly Hill; a second mother to many including special niece, Stacy (Scott) Cofer and family, as well as many other nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces.

Along with her parents, Diana was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerald Hill and Robert Hill.

Visitation is planned for Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. A service remembering Diana will follow at 3:00 in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks.