Obituary of Dianna Lee Rinker

Today I lost the best friend I’ll ever have. The one who always loved me unconditionally and even at the age of 47 made me feel safe. My Mom, Dianna Lee Rinker, passed early this morning. Over the past several weeks she has been surrounded by family and friends. She was 72 years old. If you would have asked Dianna who she was or what she did, undoubtedly she would say she was a Mom. Richard Brent, Byron Chandler and Darren Lee...her sons, her pride and Joy. Those of you who knew her over the years probably also called her Mom because nobody ever left her home hungry or without feeling her maternal nature. The woman I knew was also a fierce warrior, although I know she’d scoff at that characterization. She had survived breast and ovarian cancer, a pace maker and a heart valve replacement most recently. But it was a battle with multiple infections and complications from diabetes that finally won. She fought fiercely at times to keep her family intact and together. She was a wife that deeply loved her husband of 52 years Richard W. Rinker who passed last February. She was the person who hugged your neck or held your hands and said a prayer. She was strong with her faith and had no fear knowing where she was going after leaving this world to join her Heavenly Father and her husband Richard. She had great love for her Lord and Savior. Dianna was a grandmother to Nicholas, Kassidy and Jace. She had two beautiful daughters-in law, Margaret Girad Rinker and Karen Chesser Rinker who quickly became part of our family and she loved as if they were her own. She had a best friend Kathy Beland. She was a person who put other people first. One of her great joys was talking on the phone with her sisters Gloria, Shirley and sister-in-law Coleen. She loved talking on the phone so much in fact that it was an ongoing joke with the family that you say, “goodbye” right when Mom picks up because you know you’ll be saying it several more times before you can hang up. My dear sweet Mom, I know I say this on behalf of Rick and Darren that we are at peace knowing you are no longer in pain and do not have to fight any longer. You will be missed beyond measure and you were loved more than any words could ever say. I am grateful you are with our Lord Jesus Christ and you can finally rest in peace. Love, your son, Byron A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233.