Dianne, along with her twin sister Denise, was born April 23, 1962, to Dewey Patrick and Anne Goforth Flanagan in Mobile, Alabama. Dianne graduated with honors from Louisville High School in 1980, fifth in her class of 196. She attended Mississippi State University until 1983 when she and her husband, Glen, began their family. At that point, being a wife and mother, while also helping to provide for her family, became Dianne’s most important responsibilities for the next 21 years.
Despite becoming widowed in 2009, working extremely hard and attending classes, Dianne graduated Cum Laude from Mississippi State University with double bachelor degrees in Accountancy and Business Administration. Dianne has devoted the past fifteen years of her career to Mississippi State University. Most recently as Business Manager in the College of Mechanical Engineering, Dianne was nominated by the head of the Mechanical Engineering department, Dr. Pedro Mago, for the Professional Administrative Staff Award for her role as Business Manager of the College of Mechanical Engineering. She was awarded this honor in 2018. Last year, Dianne was also awarded the Zacharias Award for her 15 years of dedicated service to Mississippi State University.
Of all Dianne’s achievements, being “Nano” to her grandchildren was her highest accomplishment. She found great joy and fulfillment in being surrounded by all 14 of them. If she was not with them, her greatest passion was spending time in her yard. Whether planting flowers or cutting grass for hours, in the dark, she was relaxed and happy, especially when she and her sister, Denise, planned their crazy marathon gardening weekends together.
The Lord equipped Dianne with an unexplainable strength and peace to endure some of life’s toughest challenges which she did with enormous dignity and faith until her death. She has touched the lives of many children as their Sunday school teacher and as a mentor, adviser and supporter to many in her MSU family; but, her immeasurable love and dedication to her family and faith in the Lord will be her lasting legacy.
Dianne is survived by her daughter Carmen Phillips Matzek and husband Jeremy of Louisville; two sons Chad Phillips and wife Jessi of Starkville, Mississippi; and J. P. Phillips and wife Diana also of Louisville; her twin sister Denise Flanagan Streety and husband Eddie of Jackson, Mississippi; and her best friend and companion Neal Goodin. One of her greatest joys was being “Nano” to her 14 grandchildren: Hunter Nycole Phillips; Cassie Claire Phillips; Baleigh Brooke Crowson; Gabriella Phillips; Lana Jade Matzek; Ada Lynn Matzek; Mamie Jewel Phillips; Layla Jade Cockrell; Lillie Grace Cockrell; Logan Joy Cockrell; Robert Van Cockrell; Allie Michelle Phillips; Aubrey Mae Phillips; and Grayson James Phillips. She is preceded in death by her husband Glen Phillips; son Nathan Phillips; and grandson Levi Matzek.
Serving as pallbearers are Paul Halfacre, Josh Kelley, Thomas “Pup” Kelley, Thomas Peterson, Tim Sloan, and Isaac Triplett. Memorial contributions in honor of Dianne may be given to Diabetes Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
Despite becoming widowed in 2009, working extremely hard and attending classes, Dianne graduated Cum Laude from Mississippi State University with double bachelor degrees in Accountancy and Business Administration. Dianne has devoted the past fifteen years of her career to Mississippi State University. Most recently as Business Manager in the College of Mechanical Engineering, Dianne was nominated by the head of the Mechanical Engineering department, Dr. Pedro Mago, for the Professional Administrative Staff Award for her role as Business Manager of the College of Mechanical Engineering. She was awarded this honor in 2018. Last year, Dianne was also awarded the Zacharias Award for her 15 years of dedicated service to Mississippi State University.
Of all Dianne’s achievements, being “Nano” to her grandchildren was her highest accomplishment. She found great joy and fulfillment in being surrounded by all 14 of them. If she was not with them, her greatest passion was spending time in her yard. Whether planting flowers or cutting grass for hours, in the dark, she was relaxed and happy, especially when she and her sister, Denise, planned their crazy marathon gardening weekends together.
The Lord equipped Dianne with an unexplainable strength and peace to endure some of life’s toughest challenges which she did with enormous dignity and faith until her death. She has touched the lives of many children as their Sunday school teacher and as a mentor, adviser and supporter to many in her MSU family; but, her immeasurable love and dedication to her family and faith in the Lord will be her lasting legacy.
Dianne is survived by her daughter Carmen Phillips Matzek and husband Jeremy of Louisville; two sons Chad Phillips and wife Jessi of Starkville, Mississippi; and J. P. Phillips and wife Diana also of Louisville; her twin sister Denise Flanagan Streety and husband Eddie of Jackson, Mississippi; and her best friend and companion Neal Goodin. One of her greatest joys was being “Nano” to her 14 grandchildren: Hunter Nycole Phillips; Cassie Claire Phillips; Baleigh Brooke Crowson; Gabriella Phillips; Lana Jade Matzek; Ada Lynn Matzek; Mamie Jewel Phillips; Layla Jade Cockrell; Lillie Grace Cockrell; Logan Joy Cockrell; Robert Van Cockrell; Allie Michelle Phillips; Aubrey Mae Phillips; and Grayson James Phillips. She is preceded in death by her husband Glen Phillips; son Nathan Phillips; and grandson Levi Matzek.
Serving as pallbearers are Paul Halfacre, Josh Kelley, Thomas “Pup” Kelley, Thomas Peterson, Tim Sloan, and Isaac Triplett. Memorial contributions in honor of Dianne may be given to Diabetes Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
