Obituaries

Dianne Simpson Proctor

Dianne Simpson Proctor, of Heber Springs, Ark., died on Aug. 31, 2013. Born in Memphis, Tenn., on Sept. 1, 1941, to Bill and Louise Simpson, she was raised on her family's farm in Parkin, Ark. She graduated from Parkin High School in 1958, where she was known for her athletic skills on the basketball court, having once scored 72 points in one game. Dianne attended the University of Arkansas, served as President of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She met Hugh Baty "Buddy" Proctor, Jr., at the University of Arkansas; they married in 1962 and returned to her family's farm where they raised two children and managed the farm for twenty three years. The limitless work ethic, devotion and sense of fair play once demonstrated by Dianne on the basketball court permeated her personal and professional life. When Dianne and Buddy moved to Heber Springs, Ark. in 1987 as "empty-nesters," Dianne began a twenty-six year career with Aromatique, Inc., where she served as Vice President of Product Development. Yet, even in the most hectic of times professionally, Dianne never missed an opportunity to spend time with her children and grandchildren. Dianne was preceded in death by her husband of thirty-three years, Hugh Baty Proctor, Jr., and by her parents, William Samuel Simpson and Louise Owen Simpson. She is survived by her two children, William Metcalf Proctor (Paige) and Paula Proctor Daniel (Matthew), and four grandchildren: Natalie Dianne Proctor, Baty Proctor Daniel, William Metcalf Proctor, Jr., and Elizabeth Claire Daniel, all of Memphis, Tenn. Although Dianne was preceded in death by Buddy, she remained devoted to him for her entire life, including the seventeen years separating their deaths. The family requests that any memorials be made to the Rotary Club of Cleburne County Scholarship Program (c/o Rotary Club of Cleburne County, P.O. Box 463, Heber Springs, Ark. 72543), a program that was near and dear to Buddy's, and therefore to Dianne's, heart. A memorial service celebrating the life of Dianne Simpson Proctor will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church of Heber Springs, 1099 West Pine Street, Heber Springs, Ark., 72543. Visitation at the Church will begin at 12:30 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home www.olmstead.cc

Published September 2, 2013

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