Diana Jean Tatum

Diana’s greatest journey began on a night out dancing, when she met her best friend and the love of her life, Merlin Decuir. From that first dance, their lives became beautifully intertwined. They were married on October 21, 1988, and for 37 wonderful years, they shared a love that never stopped growing; one filled with laughter, devotion, and countless unforgettable memories.

From the day they were married, Diana and Merlin created a tradition just for the two of them. On the 21st of every month without fail they would see who could be the first to wake up and say, “Happy Anniversary.” With a love like theirs, every day was worth celebrating as long as they were together.

They rarely called each other by their given names. Instead, their words were always wrapped in affection such as precious, sweetheart, and most lovingly, sweet baby. Those endearing names spoke volumes about the tenderness and joy they shared.

As a flight attendant, Diana and Merlin quite literally carried their love story across the world. Together, they traveled to places many only dream of or glimpse in magazines such as Austria, France, England, Japan, Hawaii, and nearly every major United States city. Wherever they went, they went hand in hand, turning every destination into another addition to their ever-evolving love story by just being together.

Their love story was a whirlwind adventure full of life, laughter, dancing, and a deep, abiding love that never wavered. They loved to dance and spent many nights dancing the night away, just as they did the very first night they met.

Diana is now at rest, waiting for her "sweet baby” and very best friend, Merlin. Until they meet again, their story remains one of enduring love and the promise that somewhere beyond this life, they will dance together in each other's arms once again.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Cremation services will be handled under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home.