Diane Bowers Merchant

Diane Bowers Merchant, 70, of Newberry died Saturday, January 22, 2022. She was born on December 17, 1951 in Newberry, the daughter of the late Thomas Guy and Nancy Reese Bowers. Diane was a member of Silverstreet Lutheran Church and treasured her time singing in the church choir. She was proud of her time as part of Senn Trucking where, for more than 20 years, she provided administrative support to the drivers. She loved to travel, taking several solo road trips to the west much to the dismay of her family. She also was a huge Atlanta Braves fan and had hoped to make the trip to Atlanta to catch one more game. Diane had a huge heart and loved, and was loved by, everyone she met including four-legged friends. She was caring and giving, always putting other’s needs before her own. And if she could share a thought with us today, she would undoubtedly express her sincere appreciation for all that people and have done and say “please don’t worry about me.” She is survived by her sons, Chris Davenport (Gwen) of Little Mountain and John Davenport (Brandy) of Prosperity; grandson, Brady Davenport; and her special aunts and caregivers, Carolyn Lancaster of Newberry and Peggy Longshore of Pomaria. Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. John Stoudemayer at 2 PM, Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Silverstreet Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, starting at 1:00 PM. Pallbearers will be Nick Piersol, Johnny Hayes, Todd Sanders, Kevin Sanders, Adam Hudgens, and Grady Senn. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Silverstreet Lutheran Church choir. The family suggests memorials be made to Silverstreet Lutheran Church, 120 Long Street, Silverstreet, SC 29145. Memories and messages may be shared with the family on Diane’s tribute page at whitakerfuneralhome.com.