Funeral services for Diane Downard, a longtime Coalgate resident, were held Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate with Pastor David Unsell officiating. Interment was in Idabel Cemetery in Idabel, OK with Brown’s Funeral Service of Coalgate in charge of arrangements, Diane was born on October 19, 1958, to Arthur Dean Justus and Mary Louise (Grant) Williams, at Idabel, Oklahoma. She passed away on July 5, 2026, at Holdenville, Oklahoma, at the age of 67 years, 8 months and 16 days. Diane graduated from Idabel Gray High School and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. Diane worked as an Accountant for the Coal County General Hospital and Black Hawk Services while preparing income taxes for many people. She was a member of the Cornerstone Praise and Worship Center and the First Baptist Church of Coalgate. Diane enjoyed baking, traveling and going to the beach. Her favorite times were spent with her family, especially the grandboys. Diane was known and loved by so many people. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Billye Caye Newell and husband Thad of Okmulgee, OK; brother, Jim Justus and wife Kim of Teague, TX; sister, Vicki Justus of Idabel, OK; grandsons, Grayson Newell and Jet Newell both of Okmulgee, OK and Gunner Newell of Brainerd, MN; nieces, Deidra Vaught and husband Marlin of Valliant, OK, Julie Johnston and Jamie Mathews both of Marietta, OK; nephews, Jimmy Justus and wife Ariel and John Justus all of Dallas, TX; sister-in-law, Mary Joe Massie Barnes of Coalgate, OK; special friends, Janet Airington, Patti Smith, Ann Palmer, Janet Battles, Debbie Wilson, Lisa Girten, Shadra McCollum, Kelly Donaldson, Kelly Stoner, Kay Jackson and Billy Kay James; father of her daughter, Billy Downard of Stratford, OK; along with several great nieces, nephews and cousins and numerous other special friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Dean Justus; mother, Mary Louise (Grant) Williams; brother, Johnny Justus; maternal grandparents, Gordon and Mamye Grant and paternal grandparents, Claude and Mary Wade.

Serving as casketbearers were, Thad Newell, Gary Grant, Jerry Bob Grant, Jimmy Justus, John Justus, and Marlin Vaught. Honorary bearers were Johnnie Bellettini, Jack Wilson, Philip Helms, Tammy Palmer, Chuck Horton, Jim Girten and Tagus Horton.

Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: brownsfscoalgate@sbcglobal.net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.