Betty Dianne Parker Buffalo, 75, passed away peacefully at home on July 11, 2025. Born November 22, 1949, Dianne was a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, with a bachelor’s degree, and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
She spent her career in teaching, first at Hazen, then Lonoke, and finally in the Carlisle School District. Dianne was a pioneer in children’s reading, educating thousands of youth in learning how to read and lauded across the state for her work in education. This work was rewarded in her final career stop at the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative in Pine Bluff.
Dianne married the love of her life, Richard F. Buffalo, at the Hamilton United Methodist Church in November 1967 and made their life in Carlisle after completing college in Fayetteville.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Richard; her daughter Suzanne; her son Richard (Kelly); her daughter Alexandria (Amy); her beloved grandchildren Lauren (Mack), Lexi, Eric, Maive, Noah, William, Owen, and Ruby; one great-grandchild, Asher; her father, Robert N. Parker, Sr.; and Judy (Dennis); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Elizabeth Buffalo Nelson; mother, Betty Lou Parker; and brother, Robert Newton Parker, Jr.
Services for Dianne will be Tuesday, July 15, 2025 with a visitation beginning at 10:00AM until 11:00AM followed by funeral services beginning at 11:00AM at the Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Hazen. Interment will be in the Hebron Cemetery, North of Carlisle.
So sorry about Mrs Diane she was a very sweet lady.mrs Diane will surely be missed .Keeping the family in my prayers
Many pleasant memories of teaching with Dianne. May God bless her family with peace and comfort.
I’m just hearing about this now out East.
My thoughts are with my distant family and dear friends of the Buffalo clan. I miss y’all dearly and hope that you can find some peace.