DULUTH, Ga. (BP)–Diane Reasoner, longtime communications specialist for the Georgia Baptist Convention, was killed in an auto accident April 1 in metro Atlanta.
Her husband, Richard Reasoner, 60, was injured in the three-car accident on Interstate 985 that killed two and seriously injured five others. Richard Reasoner, clinical director of Christian Counseling and Psychological Service, Inc., in Suwanee, Ga., was listed in fair condition April 2 at Gwinnett Medical Center. According to a preliminary investigation, all involved were wearing seatbelts.
Diane Reasoner, 57, had been with Georgia Baptist Convention for 20 years. In her position, Reasoner oversaw the work of the Georgia Religion News weekly radio program, electronic media, the convention website, public relations and print materials. She also served as editor of VantagePoint magazine. She was developing Georgia Baptists’ Internet radio ministry that is scheduled to launch in May.
“Diane Reasoner was an outstanding servant of Jesus Christ and a uniquely gifted employee,” said J. Robert White, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Convention. “Working closely over the years, we developed a deep-knit and abiding friendship. As a professional in communications, she was at the top of her field.”
During her career, Reasoner received numerous awards, including five awards from the national Religious Communicators Council and four from Baptist Communicators Association. In addition, Reasoner served on the board of directors for the Religious Communicators National Association from 1993-2003 and she served as president of Baptist Communicators Association in 2001-02.
She was named the 1995 alumnus of the year at Florida Baptist Theological College in Graceville, Fla., and was the first woman to receive such an honor.
“While the way of life is an enigma, the reality is that through the glorious resurrection of Christ we are assured that Diane is in the presence of the Lord today,” White said. “We miss her so much already, but we will see her again.”
In addition to her husband, Reasoner is survived by two sons, Rich and Rob and three grandsons.
Reasoner was a member, along with her husband, at First Baptist Church of Duluth. A memorial service, still in the planning stages, will be held at the church. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers gifts be made to the church’s mission fund.
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