Audrey Diane Knoll West

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain. But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hand and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:10: 30-31

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our sweet Mother, Audrey Diane Knoll West. She entered God’s Heavenly Gates peacefully from her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana surrounded by her family on April 21, 2025 at the age of 83. She was born in Alexandria, Louisiana on October 18,1941 to the late Dr. James Lyle Knoll, II and Frances Elizabeth Johnston Knoll. Diane was raised in Bunkie, Louisiana along with her brother and sister.

She was a lady of grace and the beloved mother of three children, who all survive her: Dr. James David West (Billy) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Michael Knoll West (Jill) of Deatsville, Alabama, and Rebecca Frances West Schultz (Mack) of Wetumpka, Alabama. She was a cherished Memaw to six grandchildren: Aaron Michael West (Brandi), Noah David West, Sydney Brinson West, Tiffany Diane Schultz, Brooke Kimberly Schultz Watts (Jon), and Ashley Marie Schultz Galloway (Brady) and three great grandchildren: Easton Blake Watts, Holland Noah West, and Rowan Michael West. Diane is also survived by her brother, Dr. James Lyle Knoll, III (Ingrid) of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; sister, Martha Frances Knoll of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and four nephews and her niece.

Diane was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband of 53 years, Lawner Wilson “Sonny” West, Jr., her parents, as well as her father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lawner Wilson West, Sr. She was also preceded in death by numerous fur babies and other creatures of God she nurtured and cared for during her entire life. Our Mom truly embraced and cared about all.

Diane attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School as a child and graduated from Bunkie High School in 1959. After graduating she moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to attend Louisiana State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1963. After graduating from LSU, she pursued and obtained her Certified Medical Technology Degree at Baton Rouge General Hospital School of Medical Technology in 1963.

Diane and Sonny, her childhood sweetheart, eloped to Woodville, Mississippi on June 30th 1962 and began a lifetime of commitment to each other and to the beautiful and loving family they would build together.

In 1964, Diane and her husband moved to Montgomery, Alabama and she began her professional career at Baptist Medical Center as a Medical Technologist in the Chemistry Department. Her career spanned over 30 plus years. In pursuit of more knowledge and expertise, she acquired her Registered ASCP Specialty recognition in Chemistry in 1970. She served as Supervisor over the Biochemistry Department at Baptist Medical Center from 1964-1980. She also served concurrently as the Education Coordinator of the Baptist Medical Center School of Medical Technology from 1968-1973. Diane ascended to become the Administrative Director of the Baptist Medical Center Laboratory Departments and served in that position from 1980 until her retirement in 2003. Throughout her career she remained involved in too many to name, local churches, and professional organizations. Many of which she served as president or chairman. She was exceptionally well respected by her family as well as colleagues and hospital administrators throughout the state of Alabama for her knowledge and leadership talents.

Diane celebrated her retirement in 2003 at age 62 to spend even more time with her family and grandchildren. Her retirement was culminated by a visit for her and Sonny to New Orleans, Louisiana and a stay at the Hotel Monteleone along with attendance to the LSU vs Oklahoma football BCS National Championship game gifted by her children. She proudly reminds us that her alma mater won.

Diane was a devout Christian and continued to pray bedside each night with her rosary until she transitioned to heaven. She was a member of many churches, including St. Anthony’s Catholic in Bunkie, LA, Normandale Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, AL. She loved being a very active member of the Millbrook First Methodist Church for many years after she and Sonny moved to Millbrook to relax and enjoy their retirement.

In August of 2021, Diane moved back to her native Louisiana after living and raising her family for 57 years in Alabama. She, with her sister, moved back to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to relax on the pond next door to her son. She took part in Tiger games and tailgates, music and art festivals, Mardi Gras parades, and the Louisiana cuisine and culture naturally and joyously like she had never left home. Diane enjoyed all sports and was always a loyal and enthusiastic LSU and Saints fan. She enjoyed adorning her purple and gold swag and jewelry…..and saying “Geaux Tigers”.

Her hobbies included anything involved with her children and grandchildren. She and Sonny rarely missed the children’s and grandchildren’s sporting endeavors and other activities. They both were always involved. Diane was endlessly planning the next birthday party or next holiday family gathering. Mom also loved taking care of her pets and hummingbirds, and planting flowers in the garden. Some of her favorite things were vacationing and traveling with her family, especially the beach, Lake Martin, Disney, Cabo, and visiting Alaska and Germany to name a few. Diane was especially sentimental about her and Sonny’s 50th anniversary celebration cruise in 2012 with all the family. Some of her fondest memories included playing in the bayou behind her childhood home in Bunkie, Christmas mornings at her grandparent’s home amongst the azaleas, pecan and plum trees, and the birth of all her children.

Diane was a virtuous and intelligent lady with a kind and caring heart. She shared these valuable God given and personably obtained attributes with her family and all who were blessed to cross her life’s path. She showered us and others with unconditional love, support, generosity and joy and it shows through her children and grandchildren. She was most proud of helping to educate all her children and grandchildren and setting a beautiful example of her and Dad’s commitment to marriage.

It was a true blessing that all her children and their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cherished friend Betsy Dakin, special cousin Vallery were able to visit with her over the past few weeks and hear her sing “You Are My Sunshine” in her sweet Louisiana accent. After she finished her goodbyes, she was ready to join her beloved Sonny. Together they always encouraged their children and grandchildren to “just do the right thing” and “love each other and the family”. Mom is now one of God’s many angels and cardinals looking over us.

As Psalm 34 tells us, “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and delivers us from our troubles and sorrows”. Mom asks that we not grieve but celebrate her life. As she said toward the end, “Son, I had a good life”.

A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, May 9th, 2025 at Millbrook First Methodist Church, 3350 Edgewood Road, Millbrook, Alabama, 36054. Visitation at 10:00 am until Mom’s Celebration of Life beginning at 11 am. Diane will be interred next to her husband, Sonny, at Brookside Cemetery, Millbrook, Alabama, in a private family ceremony.

We, the family, would like to thank her personal caregivers, Earnestine Eubanks, Sharon Williams, Patricia Lundy, and Talaina Robinson. Also, The Baton Rouge Clinic, especially Dr. Jewel Crockett, Cardinal Hospice, especially our nurse Mark Sanders, Baton Rouge General Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit Doctors and Staff, and her kind neighbor, Mary Jo Gordon, for all the love, compassion and support given to our mom

In lieu of flowers, Mom would appreciate a donation to Millbrook First Methodist Church or one of her favorite charities including Friends of the Animals, Baton Rouge, LA, Wounded Warriors, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or any local Animal Alliance or Humane Society for the pets. You can also plant a live Oak Tree or put out Hummingbird feeders for her.

Please visit www.greenoaksfunerals.com to express your love and memories for our mother. We would love to hear how she touched your life.

For those that would like to attend but cannot, the Memorial service can be viewed. It will be streamed live at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search-query=millbrook+first+united+Methodist+church