Carolyn "Diane" Edmonson

Ms. Carolyn Diane Edmonson (affectionally known as Diane by her family and friends) of Joliet, Illinois, age 71, beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, godmother, #1 cheerleader, and good friend, peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home to sing in the choir for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 8, 2026, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital surrounded in love by her family.  Born on December 28, 1954, in Joliet, IL, she was the firstborn of 4 children (Diane, Jahi, Shirley, and Pamela) of Simon and Mary (nee Clayton) Jones.

Diane was a woman whose life radiated joy, faith, and love. Known for always having a smile on her face, she embraced life fully and shared her warmth generously with everyone she met. A devout Christian, Diane raised her family grounded in strong Christian faith and values, living each day with gratitude and purpose.

Music was one of Diane’s greatest passions. She especially loved gospel music and found deep joy singing in the church choir at Brown Chapel AME Church, where she was a faithful and active member. Her faith sustained her through life’s challenges, including her courageous battle with endometrial uterine cancer, which she faced with unwavering positivity—ringing the bell as a testament to her strength and perseverance.

Diane attended McKinley Park School, Washington Junior High School, Joliet West High School, and Biscayne Paramedical Institute in Miami, Florida. Diane dedicated 45 years of service to Argonne National Laboratory, where she built a long and successful career as an Executive Administrative Assistant before retiring in 2024. Always the planner, she was the heart behind family activities and gatherings, creating memories that will be treasured forever.  She also loved the arts—musicals, plays, and performances—and was an avid supporter of pageants and the Generation Dance Company.  She appreciated everything life had to offer and taught those around her to do the same.

Diane was the loving mother of four children: Alicia (Kendrick) Caffee of Tulsa, OK, Nicole (Marcus) Henderson of Lawton, OK, Jonathan Edmonson of Bloomington, IL, and Danielle (Matias) Lesure of Plainfield, IL.  Adoring grandmother of Alvin (AJ) and Jatwana Clemons; Nicolas, Ashley, and Aaron Nelson; Ashley Bell-Edmonson, Jonathan II, Josiah, and Joshua Edmonson; Matias (TJ), Myelle, and Messiah Lesure.  Doting great-grandmother to Kessiah Maravilla. Devoted daughter of Mary Ellen Jones.  Cherished sister of Jahi (Mosi) Mirembe (Simon Jr.), Shirley Dunson, and Pamela (Henry Jr.) Yancey. Caring godmother to India and Asia Rose Simmons.  Beloved aunt of Masika Mirembe, Katrina (Kindrell Faulk) Dunson, Betina (Kevin) Johnson, Adrienne Yancey, and Marquis Yancey.  Loving niece of Annie (Percy-deceased) Pigee, Patricia Helm, and Rebecca Waddell.  She also leaves to treasure her memories a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.  Special thanks to the clinical team and caregivers on the CCU and Cardiology floors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and University of Chicago Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her father, Simon Ephraim Jones, Sr. and grandparents Perry and Ruby Jones and Charlie and Irene Clayton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, the American Heart Association, or The Simon E. Jones Higher Education Scholarship Fund.

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