Diana Wooden

Lovingly known as Diana Maria, she was born to the union of Annie Belle Cawthon Neal and George Neal, on Saturday, June 13, 1953. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. She transitioned from this life, with the comfort of hospice, surrounded by her dedicated children on Friday, February 12, 2021. After her mother was remarried to Otha A. Bradley, the family grew and Marie became big sister to Otha Alton Bradley, Vivian Bradley Pulley, and Versie Bradley Wilson.

The family later relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. She received her education in public schools of Little Rock, Arkansas and was a graduate of the Job Corps. Diana was a dedicated caregiver at the Kiddie Depot Learning Center. She also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for many years in Kansas City, MO. She volunteered as a chaperone for the Kansas City Marching Cobras for greater than 10 years. Once a Cobra, Always a Cobra.

A licensed Evangelist, Diana faithfully served at Another Chance Evangelistic Deliverance Ministries in Kansas City, Missouri. She began with It is Written Evangelistic Ministries under Bishop LW and Lady Effie Bolton for 12 years followed by Another Chance Evangelistic Ministries for 8 years under the leadership of Pastor Tellis and Lady Sherece Bolton and now Pastor OW and Lady Michelle Dixon. She was loved by her church family as she was considered “Mother Wooden.” Evangelist Wooden served on the Intercessory Prayer team of her church and was best known for being a prayer warrior, offering prayers on behalf of church members, co-workers, family, and friends. What defined Diana Maria best throughout her life, was her love for her twelve precious children. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anna Bradley, brother Otha Alton Bradley, and her son Philip Andrew Wooden.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children; Tangela Neal Brown of Kansas City MO, Willie Neal of Little Rock, AR, Vivian Jackson Boyles (Calvin) of Kansas City MO, Alton L. Jones (Amenta’) of Kansas City MO, Efrem Jackson (Lisa) of Kansas City MO, Kenneth Thompson of Kansas City MO, Anna Thompson Brown (Clyde) of Independence, MO, Tanya Thompson of Kansas City MO, Timothy Wooden of Kansas City, KS, Leander Wooden, Jr. of Kansas City, KS, and Larry Wooden of North Kansas City, MO; her sisters; Vivian Pulley (Odell) of Iola, KS and Versie Wilson (Dennis) of Columbia, SC, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great nephews. Diana was the doting grandmother of 56 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Each of them had their own unique relationship with Nana, you can just ask them.