Diann Marie Boldridge, 72, Topeka, Kansas left this earthly life to be with her Lord and Savior early Thursday morning, June 30, 2022 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, Kansas with Rev. Shirley Hermance, officiating.  Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.  MASK ARE REQUIRED. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, July 7, from noon until 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mark AME Church and may be left in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Diann was born January 29, 1950 in Atchison, Kansas the daughter of Ellsworth and Mary Beadles Boldridge.  She attended Sumner and Potter Elementary Schools, graduating from Atchison County Community High School in Effingham, Kansas.  She later attended and graduated from Highland Community Junior College, Highland, Kansas.

Diann began her working career February 17, 1969 as a clerk with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and rising through the ranks in her department because of her skills and abilities.  After forty years she retired as manager of the underwritten claims area on January 29, 2010.

She and Arthur Smith were united in marriage and later divorced.

Diann was an active member of the historic Brown vs Board of Education St. Mark AME Church in Topeka, Kansas where she was known for baking pies for her church and the nursing home.

She enjoyed gardening, fishing, traveling, canning vegetables from her garden, baking and most widely known for her carrot cake and lemon meringue pie.

Survivors left to cherish her memory are special friend William Gilliam, Emporia, KS; his daughter and granddaughter; an aunt, Esther Jones, Topeka, KS; two sisters, JoAnn Murray and Ethel Campbell, both of Atchison, KS; stepson, Randall Smith, Aurora, CO; stepdaughters, Andria Smith, of Texas and Alana Seelbach, Topeka, KS; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends of the family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Claudene Berry and Mary Lou Boldridge and brothers, Irving Boldridge and Phillip Boldridge.