Biography: “For I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith” II Timothy 4:6-7
Dianne Singletary was born in St. George, South Carolina on December 14, 1966, to the late Augustus Singletary and Georgia Singletary – Smalls. Dianne was raised in New York City from the tender age of 2 years old.
Dianne received her education at P.S 55 (elementary), Wagner Middle School and Julia Richman High School. Dianne graduated from Julia Richmond High School in 1984. She attended two years of college at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and received her AAS degree.
Dianne held various jobs during her career. Her first job was at Franco, where she worked ten years as an Administrative Assistant. She later moved into the field of insurance and then later the educational field. She was employed at Harlem Children’s Zone for almost ten years as a Data Specialist before she became ill.
In 1977, Dianne joined St. James AME Church under the pastor and church founder, the late Rev. James River. Upon joining the church, she became a member of the Junior Usher Board, the Youth Choir, & the YPD. She was a graduate from the YPD to Missionary Society.
Over the years, Dianne served as Church School Superintendent, member of Christian Education Department, member of the Senior Usher board, Guardian of the Junior Usher Board, YPD (member and President), Ruth Johnson
Missionary Society (Secretary), Stewardess (member and president), and Lay Organization (Director of Lay Activities). Dianne served her church faithfully until her health began to fail.
Dianne was a very giving, caring, fun, and driven person. She was loved by all that knew her. She would go above and beyond for anyone. She was always sacrificing to help others and to make people happy. She loved her family fiercely, especially her daughter Shinnelle. Dianne enjoyed listening to music, reading novels, watching soap operas, games shows, sitcoms and traveling.
She was preceded in death by: her father, Augustus Singletary, her aunt, Mary Alice and uncle William Pelzer.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her beloved daughter Shinnelle Singleton of New York; devoted loving parents Georgia Smalls (Joseph Smalls) of Bowman, South Carolina; her beloved sisters: Ms. Carrol Singletary of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Ms. Tyshelle Smalls of New York, Willa Pelzer (Cousin/Sister); her beloved brothers: Eddie Goodwin (Theresa Goodwin) and Anthony Goodwin of Oxon Hill, Maryland, Augustas Singletary III of Columbia, South Carolina, Joseph L. Smalls and Kendall Smalls (Vivian), and Watson Hollingsworth of New York; Godbrother, Robert Morris; aunts: Mrs. Ethel Pelzer of St. George, South Carolina and Mrs. Carol Sessaso of Harlem, New York, Jessie Roland, Mrs. Hattie Lee Green of Bowman, South Carolina, and Mrs. Mattie Williams of Bowman, South Carolina; uncles: Thomas Washington (Mary Alice), of Bowman, South Carolina, Clifford Pelzer (Virginia) of Orangeburg, South Carolina and Joseph Washington of Roseville, South Carolina and a special uncle, Wilford Pelzer; nieces: Lorrell, Jelissa, Njeri, Maia, Diamond, Amythesis, Pria, Caydence, Ronetta, and Juila; nephews: Brandon, Joseph, Jabari, Blake, & Ethan. Godson: Glenford Williams; and also survived by numerous relatives and friends as well as The St. James AME Church family.