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Dianna Marie Bedrick, PH.D, L.P.C., died Oct. 25 following a brave battle against heart disease and diabetes.
She was a noted counselor for men, women, and families surviving with HIV/AIDS, as well as emotional and work-related issues. In her varied career, she worked for Texas Instruments in Lewisville, then moved to Houston and went into counseling practice with her childhood friend and mentor, David McGee. After McGee’s death, she relocated her practice to Oak Cliff until she was forced to retire due to her health and return to her home town of Pilot Point.
Throughout her entire life, Bedrick was charitable with her time, energy and money, compassionately helping those who were in need or in pain. She had a special place in her heart for those coping with AIDS.
Bedrick was preceded in death by her mother and father, her childhood friend and business partner David McGee, and her dog Mona.
She is survived by her brother and sister and their families, numerous friends, and patients. Memorial donations in her honor should be made to AIDS Arms of Dallas.
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Friley Spruill Davidson, 49, of Dallas, formerly of Cleveland, Miss., died Dece. 10.
He was born Nov. 9, 1960, in Belzoni, Miss., to Dr. and Mrs. Stacy Davidson of Cleveland. He was an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Boy Scouts of America’s God and Country Emblem. He graduated from Cleveland High School and with a BBA degree from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, where he was editor of both the Ole Miss Yearbook and Kappa Alpha Order’s rush book and secretary of Kappa Alpha Order.
Davidson was voted into the Ole Miss Hall of Fame, which is one of the highest honors a student can achieve. While at Ole Miss he also was recognized as Who’s Who in American Universities. He was on the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Committee and the 100 Chancellor’s Planning Committee. He was a member of Who’s Who Order of Omega, the University of Mississippi’s Chancellor’s Trust and was in the Guardian Society of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Davidson launched his career in commercial real estate and investments in Dallas some 20 years ago. He was an entrepreneur who helped mentor many people during his career, according to Russell Yarborough, a friend and business associate.
He helped underwrite area civic organizations and was a board member of the Cattle Baron’s Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society, and also the Crystal Charity and Idlewild Club.
He was a co-producer of Broadway plays, one of which is "Next to Normal," which is currently running in New York and will be in production in London soon. This play won three Tony Awards in 2008.
He was also a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church.
Davidson was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dameron Friley Spruill of Belzoni, Miss., and Mr. and Mrs. L. Stacy Davidson Sr. of Batesville, Miss.
He is survived by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Stacy Davidson of Cleveland, Miss.; brother, John Stacy Davidson and his wife Laurie; a niece, Caroline Davidson; and three nephews, Brantley, Samuel and Andrew Davidson, all of Jackson, Miss.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at First United Methodist Church in Cleveland, with the Rev. Billy Owen officiating. Burial will follow in the Spruill family plot in Belzoni, under the direction of Ray Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland and also from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.
Pallbearers will be Brantley, Samuel and Andrew Davidson, Scott Speakes, Chris Crevett, Russell Yarborough, Scott Coopwood and Ash Christian. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital for Cancer Research, c/o public affairs, 2500 N. State St., Jackson, Miss., 39216. An online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.rayfuneralhome.net.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 18, 2009.