Gwendolyn E. Diaz died on June 15, 2017.

Gwendolyn Elaine Diaz, affectionately called Gwen, was born on March 4, 1970, in Sumter, the ninth child to her lovely parents, Lindsay and Geneva Washington. She attended the public schools of Sumter and graduated from Mayewood High School in 1988. As a young child, she began her spiritual journey at St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1972. At that time, she began singing with the junior choir, which was later changed to the young adult choir, where she served faithfully as the choir director. As time progressed, the choir was then changed to the inspirational choir, where she served as the president from 2010 until her transition. She received the baptismal of the holy ghost and the baptism in Jesus' name in 1988. As a member of St. Paul Holiness Church, she served in several capacities in the ministry such as Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School director, usher board secretary, member of the program committee and the back-to-school bash coordinator.

She married the love of her life, Orlando, on Jan. 20, 1990. To this union three beautiful daughters were born, Sarita, Taylor and Kaitlyn.

She began her college career at USC Sumter. As a military wife, she furthered her studies as an educator at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. After her husband's military service, they relocated back to Sumter, where she received her bachelor's degree in childhood education at Coastal Carolina in Conway. She later received her master's degree at USC Columbia.

She taught at Wilder Elementary School, where she was recognized as the School Teacher of the Year and the District Teacher of the Year. Gwen was enthusiastic about teaching and promoting education. She received her National Board Certification in Teaching in 2004. She later became the reading coach at Crosswell Elementary School and F.J. Delaine Elementary School. She was currently pursuing her master's degree in educational leadership, which she was scheduled to complete in August 2017.

She leaves to cherish in loving memories: her husband, Orlando; three daughters, Sarita (Deshaun) Jones of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Taylor Diaz and Katelyn Diaz, both of Sumter; one granddaughter, Victoria Grace Jones; parents, Lindsay and Geneva Washington of Sumter; seven sisters, Linda (Bishop Joseph) Brunson of Columbia, Betty (Elder Barrington) Pierson, Marilyn (Timothy) Vaughn, Melinda (Larry) China, Patricia (Leroy Pierson), Yvonne (Marcell) Sams and Yvette (Lorenzo) Vaughn, all of Sumter; four brothers, Charles (Shelia) Washington of Sumter, Michael (Gloria) Washington, Eddie (Lori) Washington of Columbia and Matthew (Sherry) Washington of Cary, North Carolina; a niece raised as a sister, Calandra (Henry) Witherspoon of Columbia; mother-in-law, Rosemary (Andres) Figueroa of Humacao, Puerto Rico; father-in-law, Johnny (Wanda) Diaz of Tampa, Florida; eight aunts, Lillian Washington, Betty Lou Burch, Francis Washington, Theodosha Washington, Ruth Jackson, Naomi (James) White, Eva Mae Shiver and Jessie Mae (Michael) Frierson, all of Sumter; eight uncles, Leon Gass, Eugene (Gloria Jean) Wells, Tony (Terri) Wells, Leroy Wells and Jimmy Lee Wells, all of Sumter, Henry Green Sr. of Bishopville and Oliver Wells and Andrew Wells of California; a host of nieces, nephews, friends and godchildren.

She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, a niece and a nephew.

Public viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.

Sister Diaz will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. on Wednesday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Trinity Baptist Church, 155 Wall St., Sumter, with Pastor Larry C. Weston and Elder Barrington Pierson, eulogist. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.

The family will be receiving friends at the home, 1200 Warwick Drive, Sumter.