Diana "Diane" McNeil Walker

Diana “Diane” McNeil Walker, age 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, January 16, 2026. A native of New Orleans, LA, and a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, LA, Diana lived a life rooted in faith, family, and an unwavering love for those around her. Born on March 8, 1936, in New Orleans, and raised in Baton Rouge, Diana graduated from Istrouma High School in 1954. She married the love of her life, Jesse Walker, Jr., on July 22, 1955. Together, they shared 38 beautiful years of marriage before his passing in March 1993. Diana and Jesse built a strong and loving family, raising four children and creating a legacy that continues through generations. In her early years, Diana worked at a bank before dedicating her life to raising her children. In the 1970s, she found a new passion as a special education bus driver, a job she cherished deeply. She proudly drove her bus for more than 20 years, touching countless lives with her warmth, humor, and unmatched dedication. Diana was the heart of her family—funny, sweet, and known for cooking the best seafood gumbo anyone could ask for. Her home was a gathering place filled with love, laughter, and the delicious aroma of meals everyone looked forward to. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, often piling them into the car for outings to Kmart where they would pick out treats and share simple joys together. A woman of many talents and passions, Diana loved to shop, travel, tend to her plants, dance, play pool, and admire her beautiful rings and jewelry. She was deeply religious, faithfully praying the rosary and holding her Catholic faith close throughout her life. She shared a lifelong bond with her beloved sister and best friend, Sylvia, and treasured her long-term friendship with Leon, for the last 20+ years of her life. Diana faced many hardships—from the loss of loved ones, and children, to serious medical setbacks, which she beat against all odds—but she met every challenge with courage and devotion to her faith and family. She was family-oriented to her core and remained a steady, loving presence to all who knew her. Diana is survived by her daughters, Karen Loudon and Shari Morman; grandchildren, Tabitha Loudon, Kevin Morman, Jr., Alicia Loudon, Bo Morman (Danielle), Adam Loudon, and Lauren Loudon (Adam Niles); great-grandchildren, Adelle, Ally, Ashley, Shayla, Griffin, Duncan, Trent, Fiona, Donovan, Moses, Grace, Collin, Odin, and Lovena; great-great-grandchildren, Gracelynn and Ashton; sister, Sylvia Hernandez; and a host of other loving family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Walker, Jr., her sons, Jesse Walker III and Darby Walker; granddaughter, Miranda Morman; and siblings, Neil McNeil III and Geraldine Scardina, and her special friend, Leon Cloutre. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, January 26, 2026, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Visitation will resume at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 10:00am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. Burial will follow immediately at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Diana will be remembered for her love for her Savior, her gentle heart, her fierce love for her family, her vibrant spirit, and the many beautiful moments she created over her 89 years. Her legacy will forever live on in the lives of those she touched.