Dianne Kirksey obit

Dianne Kirksey-Floyd Obituary

 

She was not on the list.

Dianne Kirksey-Floyd was the original multihyphenate. Her lifelong work as a civil rights pioneer and activist is recognized by the University of Alabama and the state of Alabama. Her fifty year career as an actress, writer and filmmaker features work with Morgan Freeman, Cicely Tyson and Chadwick Boseman and awards from Cannes Film Festival and Austin Film Festival. As an award winning educator, she taught thousands of students over twenty-seven years. Throughout her life, she was an inspiration and loving advisor to family, friends, students and colleagues, and especially to her son, Malcolm-Wiley.

Services and entombment will be held Saturday, September 12, at 3:00pm, at Memory Hill Gardens, 2200 Skyland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa. Masks and social distancing required.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Dianne Kirksey Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

Born in Eutaw, Alabama, in 1950, Kirksey-Floyd graduated in 1973 from the University of Alabama, where she set a number of firsts. She was the first black "Bama Belle," athletic hostesses, and the first black member of the university's homecoming court. She helped found the UA African American Association (now known as the Black Student Union), and was the first black officer of the Associated women Students organization. Kirksey-Floyd was one of 20 Female Trailblazers celebrated at the UA 1893 Jubilee Dinner, celebrating 125 years of women admitted to the University. the UA Alumni Association created the Dianne Kirksey Endowed Scholarship to honor her life and work.

Actress

Rain Without Thunder (1992)

Rain Without Thunder

5.0

Mother Breatfeeding (as Diane Kirksey)

1992

 

The Marva Collins Story (1981)

The Marva Collins Story

7.7

TV Movie

Cynthia Rawls

1981

 

James Pritchett in The Doctors (1963)

The Doctors

7.2

TV Series

Bobbie DuVall

1980

33 episodes

 

Rich Kids (1979)

Rich Kids

6.5

Ralph's Secretary

1979

 

Watch Your Mouth

8.8

TV Series

(as Diane Kirksey)

1978

1 episode

 

Producer

Bama's Black Babies Are Dying (2017)

Bama's Black Babies Are Dying

Short

executive producerproducer

2017

 

Ella Joyce in Sweet Dreams, Momma (2017)

Sweet Dreams, Momma

Short

producer

2017

 

Director

Bama's Black Babies Are Dying (2017)

Bama's Black Babies Are Dying

Short

Director

2017

 

Ella Joyce in Sweet Dreams, Momma (2017)

Sweet Dreams, Momma

Short

Director

2017

 

Theatre

Actress

Play     Theater            Year

Power Play      Billie Holiday Theater            2005

Urban Transitions: Loose Blossoms   New Federal Theater   2002

The World of Ben Caldwell

            New Federal Theater   1982

Games New Federal Theater   1982

The Incarnation of Reverend Goode Blacque Dress  New Federal Theater   1982

So Nice They Named It Twice           New York Shakespeare Festival          1977

What the Winesellers Buy      New York Shakespeare Festival          1975