Celebrating The Life of DIANN McCANTS June 17, 1947 -- August 17, 2026

A life well-lived is measured not simply by the years one is given, but by the people we love, the lives we touch, and the legacy we leave behind. By every measure, Diann McCants lived extraordinarily well.

Diann was born on June 17, 1947, to Crawford and Eloise Webb, the second of their three children. She grew up alongside her brother, Crawford Webb, and sister, Gloria Kitts, with whom she shared an extraordinary lifelong bond. Close in age, Diann, her siblings, and their cousins grew up as much like friends as family, filling their childhood with gatherings, adventures, laughter, and memories that kept them close throughout their lives. Crawford, Diann, and Gloria remained devoted to one another and frequently traveled together, continuing to make memories well into adulthood. For Diann, family was never just about being related; it was about being connected.

 A Life Grounded in Faith

Diann's faith journey began at age ten, when she accepted Our Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, under the leadership of the late Reverend Joe Davis.

Her relationship with God became the foundation of her life. Faith was not reserved for Sundays; it was woven into her everyday routine. Diann began each morning with a prayer call, grounding her day in gratitude and the Word of God.

Friends and family could count on receiving an uplifting text from Diann filled with encouragement, reminders of God's faithfulness, or simply an assurance that they were loved and prayed for. Her messages became such a cherished part of the day that when one didn't arrive, those closest to her knew something wasn't right.

Building a Life in Lansing

While attending Western Michigan University, Diann met the love of her life, Charles McCants. After college, they relocated from Kalamazoo to Lansing, Michigan, where they built a life rooted in faith. family, friendship, and service.

Upon arriving in Lansing, Diann joined Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, which became an important part of her spiritual life. A devoted and active member, she served through Sunday School and the Seasoned Saints, Dance, Culinary, and Health Ministries.

On August 12, 1982, Diann and Charles joyfully welcomed their only child, Charles "Chas" Webb McCants. The bond between Diann and Chas was extraordinary. Chas was the center of her world. She loved him fiercely, supported him unconditionally, and took tremendous pride in the man he became.

As Chas became a father, Diann found new joy in becoming Mimi to Malaya, Charles Peyton, and Brandon Amir. Diann shared an especially close bond with her only granddaughter, Malaya. She took great pride in watching Malaya grow and treasured the time they spent together. Their relationship was filled with love, laughter, encouragement. and the special connection shared between a grandmother and granddaughter. Diann loved being Malaya's Mimi, and Malaya held a very special place in her heart.

An Educator and Community Servant

Diann earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University and later a Master of Arts degree in Education from Michigan State University.

For nearly 30 years, Diann devoted her professional life to Lansing Public Schools. Teaching was more than her career; it reflected her commitment to helping young people grow, succeed, and recognize their potential. Diann remained devoted to the work she loved until illness curtailed her career. Although illness ended her time in the classroom, it could not erase the lasting impact she made on generations of students.

Diann's service extended far beyond education. She was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and an active member of Club Ms. And Chums, Incorporated, where she devoted herself to enriching the lives of children and serving her community.

To know Diann was to know that when she believed in a cause, she went to work. Diann was a prolific fundraiser, and for her, there were no strangers—only people she had not yet asked to contribute. Her work with Chums' Diamonds and Denim event captured that spirit perfectly. She asked everyone she knew-and sometimes those she had just met-to purchase an ad, become a patron, buy a ticket, or simply give whatever they could. She was persistent and wonderfully persuasive because she genuinely believed in the causes she supported. When her community needed something, Diann was determined to do her part and inspire others to do theirs.

Diann also gave generously of her time as a volunteer with University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Hospital, including service in the hospital gift shop. Whether in a classroom, church, hospital, or community organization, Diann believed in showing up and serving.

A Heart That Always Made Room

Diann had a remarkable capacity to make room in her heart for others. For her, family was not defined by blood, but by love, kindness, and connection.

That generous heart blessed Diann with two beloved bonus children, Alane Laws Barker and Timmie Smith, whom she embraced as family. She also cherished being bonus grandmother to TJ, MiChaela, Zachary, and Joshua Barker, and Jibril and Dekari Richardson, loving, encouraging, and celebrating them as part of her extended family.

Diann shared an especially close bond with her first and only niece, Kimberly Webb-Horsley. For nearly thirteen years before Chas was born. Kimberly held a unique place in Diann's life, and their relationship grew into a treasured friendship grounded in love, trust, laughter, and shared memories. When Kimberly welcomed her son. Amare Horsley, Diann's love expanded to another generation. She forged a special bond with her only great-nephew and took tremendous pride in the young man he became.

Diann did not ration her love. There was always another person to encourage, another friend to pray for, and room in her heart for someone else.

A Woman Who Embraced Life

Diann knew how to enjoy life. She loved clothes and had an unmistakable sense of style. An impeccable lady, she took pride in being well dressed and beautifully put together. Whether headed to church, a sorority or Chums event, or simply out for the day, Diann believed in presenting her best self. She didn't simply get dressed—Diann made an entrance.

She loved to dance, and music brought out her joyful personality. Her love of dance led her to join the Dance Ministry at Pilgrim Rest.

Diann was a gifted athlete who enjoyed golf, tennis. and pickleball. Her natural ability was evident from the beginning: the first time she played golf, she was invited to join the Western Michigan University golf team.

She also found great pleasure in working in her yard and tending her flowers. She loved planting and nurturing beautiful things. This was a reflection of the way she lived—planting seeds in her students, her community, her church, her friendships, and her family.

A Life of Purpose, A Legacy of Love

Diann was a daughter, sister. wife, mother, Mimi, Nana-Di, bonus mother and grandmother, aunt, educator, sorority sister, Chum, volunteer, athlete, dancer, fundraiser, church servant, and friend. But perhaps the simplest description is the most fitting—Diann was caring!

Those who loved her will remember not only what she accomplished, but how she made them feel—welcomed, encouraged, celebrated, prayed for, loved and seen. Her legacy lives in the family she cherished, the students she taught, the causes she championed, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she touched.

Like the flowers she so lovingly tended, the seeds Diann planted will continue to bloom for generations to come. She will never be forgotten. '

Those Who Cherish Her Memory

Diann leaves to cherish her precious memory: her devoted son, Charles "Chas" W. McCants; beloved grandchildren, Malaya McCants, Charles Peyton McCants, and Brandon Amir McCants; bonus children. Alane Laws (Thomas) Barker and Timmie (Katina) Smith; bonus grandchildren, TJ Barker. MiChaela Barker, Zachary Barker, Joshua Barker, Jibril Richardson, and Dekari Richardson; siblings, Crawford Webb and Gloria (Carl) Kitts; darling niece, Kimberly (Ronald) Webb-Horsley; great-nephew, Amare Horsley; the mother of her grandchildren, Aisha Richardson; dearest friends of more than sixty years, Diane and Earl Washington; and a host of cousins, extended family members, sorority sisters, Chums, church family, former colleagues and students, neighbors, and treasured friends whose lives she touched throughout the years.

Those Gone Before Her

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles McCants; and her parents, Crawford and Eloise Webb.

Donations in Honor of Diann

In Honor of Diann's Life and Love, please send donations of love to: Pam's Academy of Champions, 1205 Pierce Rd, Lansing, MI 48910