Dianne Lynn Bussard

Dianne Lynn Bussard, 80, of Dumas passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Funeral Services are scheduled for 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at First Street Church with Pastor Matt Matzke, officiating. Interment will follow Northlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock in the evening on Friday at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors.

Dianne was born on October 26, 1944, in Anthony, Kansas to David Wayne Drake and Nadine (Hilton) Drake. She grew up the majority of her childhood at the refinery housing camps outside of Dumas and Sunray. She was united in marriage to Lawrence on June 27, 1969, at First Street Church of Christ in Dumas, TX; they were the first couple to marry in the church. Dianne graduated from Dumas High School in 1962 and went on to study at West Texas State University where she received his bachelor’s degree in education. Dianne began her teaching career with Dumas ISD where she was a teacher at Cactus Elementary and Sunset Elementary. Her last several years of teaching she was an ESL teacher at Sunset and found so much joy in teaching young students to learn the English language and how to learn in school. It was truly her passion. She also worked with many Dumas ISD teachers to assist them in preparing to pass their ESL tests and tutored young students during her retirement. She loved hummingbirds, jewelry, her grandchildren and traveling with family and friends. She was a member of the First Street Church in Dumas where she loved attending Bible study with her small groups as well as womens groups. She and Lawrence also owned the Chocolate Pantry in Dumas where she enjoyed working with customers and wrapping gifts. She made the most beautiful packages with amazing bows that customers always loved. She was a member of the READ organization in Dumas for Retired Educators.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence H. Bussard, sister: Connie Drake.

Dianne is survived by her son: James Bussard and wife Candi of Dumas, TX; daughter: L. Suzanne Jeffries and husband Marquez of Forney, TX; grandchildren: Hunter Bussard, Dane Stavenhagen, Ainsley Bussard, Gavin Coleman, Michelle Almonte-Jeffries, Jackson Jeffries, Brooklyn Jeffries; brother: Wayne Drake of Bartlesville, OK, good friends: Larry Appel and wife Judith of Dumas, TX as well as many close friends and family.

The family requests, with gratitude, memorials be made to Dumas Education Foundation, 300 S Klein, Dumas, TX 79029.