Dianna Sue Maxwell Mohammad-Zadeh

Mrs. Dianna Sue Mohammad-Zadeh passed away unexpectedly at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center following an extended illness in the early hours of September 30, 2026.

Dianna was born in Rock Island, Tennessee as the youngest of three to Mr. Arthur Stanley and Gladys (Cotton) Maxwell. Dianna enrolled at the Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee at the age of 16 with a degree in Education that was soon followed by obtaining her Master’s Degree from the same University. Perhaps the greatest treasure obtained from her time in Cookeville was meeting her future husband, Mr. Saeed Mohammad-Zadeh, while enrolled. After her marriage to Saeed, the couple would settle in McMinnville, Tennessee, and have two children- Ario Bryan and Arrin Ryan Zadeh, and one grandchild (the apple of her eye), Jericho Zadeh.

In addition to Dianna’s parents, Dianna is preceded in death by her brother Paul Maxwell.

Dianna is survived by her husband, Saeed Mohammad-Zadeh; her two sons, Ario Zadeh and Arrin Zadeh (partner, Meghan Harville); her grandson, Jericho Zadeh; her sister, Madonna (Maxwell) Ledbetter, nephew Mark Ledbetter; niece Leah Ledbetter; fur babies: Coco and Blackie; and lastly, grand fur babies: Mooney, Oreo and Ophelia (Ofie).

Dianna had a passion for education and found her outlet for this passion by teaching and mentoring. Her dedication to her career which spanned over forty years was highlighted by her assistance in creating and promoting the ESL (English Second Language) program, or as it was known back then as ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) for Warren County. She was also the Director of Testing for the district. Her career would later crescendo with being placed at the Central Office where should would constantly speak of working 13-months a year, and where she would finally retire from in 2015.

Dianna’s greatest passion, however, was the love of her family and children; which also included the four-legged variety where as a child she would spend countless hours with her dogs walking in the woods. This love of dogs would continue in life as she could not be separated from her little Coconut (Coco). Dianna also had a passion for word puzzles, reading, and anything Twilight (the series) related. Dianna loved Christmas- as her greatest treat was to give gifts and watch the person open the gift. It was common at Christmas time to see Dianna with a ton of gifts around her but she did not care, she was enjoying making others smile. And lately, you would find Dianna watching Turkish television shows. Dianna’s ability to use her imagination to escape kept her mind strong and young.

Dianna was kind, intelligent, and empathetic. She wanted nothing but kindness, caring, and love as she was an Angel on Earth who has now found herself as an Angel in Heaven.

Visitation and receiving of family/friends for Dianna will be on Sunday October 4, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at High Funeral Home. A funeral will be held for Dianna for close family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Dianna would have recommended making a donation to your local food bank or to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.