Dianna Naomi Ridgeway was born on January 4, 1946, to Naomi A Ridgeway and George Bailey in Bridgeton, New Jersey, where she resided until 1969.

Dianna (affectionately known as Ms. Diane) moved her family to Columbus, Ohio where she built a lifetime of memories based on love and generosity. She never met a stranger and was always willing to help anyone. Dianna is well known for assisting many people who were transitioning through tough times. If you were willing to work hard, she would do all that she could to help you get back on your feet. She worked in several fields during her life, including the medical field, but she found the greatest joy in caring for children (especially babies) in her in-home day care business later in life. She was an animal protection advocate and worked with Franklin County to become an adoptive and foster parent. She loved gardening, knitting, crocheting, 60's music, dancing, crossword puzzles, and the Golden Girls TV show.

Dianna fell asleep in death on the morning of March 20th, 2026, at the age of 80 years old. She was preceded in death by her mother Naomi Ridgeway, father George Bailey, grandparents Cynthia and Lewis Ridgeway, sister Ruth L. Ridgeway, and son Joseph Carter III.

She leaves to cherish her memory daughters Jacquelynn Carter-Thompson, Josette Carter and Johnetta Johnson, grandchildren Latisha, James, Jessica, Jahmia, Precious, Shakkura, Trinity and Sanusi, sisters Ida Ridgeway of Lansing, Michigan, Nancy Ridgway and Clara Pierce both of Bridgeton, New Jersey, several great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a host of friends and adoptive family members.