Yolanda Elizabeth Diaz Gonzales

Yolanda Elizabeth Diaz Gonzales passed peacefully from this life on October 28, 2026 at Dunbar Village, Bay St. Louis, MS. Surrounded by friends, she died with dignity and grace. Yolanda was born on November 19, 1958 in La Ceiba, Honduras, the oldest of four children born to Rev. Roberto Diaz and Gladys Diaz (nee Gonzales). Due to her father’s first career as a journalist, Yolanda moved to lots of different places. Her academic career began in New Orleans, Louisiana at Our Lady of Lourdes, then Academia Los Pinares in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Mazapan School in La Ceiba, Honduras; the American School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and St. Mary’s Academy in Nauvoo, Illinois. Growing up Yolanda was passionate about reading, and spending time with friends and family, especially with the elders of her family where she learned much. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in 1979 at Mississippi College and her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1988. Later that same year she became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Yolanda’s deep compassion for people drew her to the least, the last, and the lost including children, those without housing, those living with HIV AIDS, and older adults. Shortly after graduating from Mississippi College she began working with Our House Shelter for Runaways. And at the height of the AIDS crisis, Yolanda worked tirelessly with Grace House in Jackson, MS always advocating for the residents there. By the 2000s she found her ultimate calling in eldercare, specializing in and working closely with persons living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related cognitive conditions. She not only worked with those living with the disease, but she worked closely with their friends and family members walking with them and helping them know how to manage the transitions and changes faithfully, always emphasizing their need to take care of themselves as they took care of their loved one. She worked for Lizzy Care assisting with clinical oversight, care coordination, and dementia navigation platforms. She did similar work with Tricare. But she was most proud and most fulfilled after entering a business partnership with longtime friend and fellow LCSW, Hank Rainer, providing consultation, compliance coaching, and training for care facilities with memory care centers, Green House Projects, and Eden Care Homes. She helped to write and edit many of the guidelines for these specialized programs for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Yolanda was also an active member of the National Association of Social Workers Mississippi Chapter. Janice Sandefur LCSW, former director of the NASW MS Chapter remembers Yolanda “as a thoughtful, caring, compassionate social worker who advocated for older adults and LGBTQ rights. She was active in the NASW, MS Chapter Board of Directors as Chair of the LGBTQ Committee for many years and participated in legislative advocacy for the social work profession, the needs of older adults, and LGBTQ community.” Yolanda was a member of the Alzheimer's Association of Mississippi and lead Virtual Dementia Tours through Second Wind Dreams of Mississippi. But of all her accomplishments, one of her proudest moments was March 25, 1999 when she officially became a citizen of the United States. Yolanda was a follower of Jesus Christ and an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. Yolanda held family dear and kept close connections with family in Honduras, Costa Rica, California, New Orleans, Atlanta, and beyond. Her family remembers Yolanda as ebullient, full of life, funny, faithful, and wise. Friends say of Yolanda that she was passionate about her work in eldercare and an excellent resource in that area and others. She was compassionate and filled with empathy. She loved music with an eclectic taste and a particular passion for opera. She was a loyal friend, a fun-loving wild woman who lived large and laughed a lot. When Yolanda was in your corner, you had no fears.

On July 14 of this year Yolanda received a diagnosis of Stage 4 Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma (kidney cancer). It was aggressive, inoperable and incurable. With treatment, Yolanda was told she could possibly add 2-3 years to her life. And in true Yolanda style she said: “Let’s do it!” She fought the hard battle for 3.5 months but on October 19, with clarity, wisdom, and dignity, she decided it was time to stop treatment and move into hospice. She received great care from then until her passing the early morning of October 28. She lived with dignity and grace and she died the same way. Yolanda was preceded in death by her father Rev. Roberto Diaz; her paternal grandmother Zoila Diaz; her maternal grandparents Col. Marco Tulio Gonzalez and Berta Ardon; and her nephew Alex Diaz, and her longtime friend and business partner, Hank Rainer.

Yolanda is survived by her mother Gladys Diaz of Tupelo, MS; her siblings Roberto M. Diaz of Pontotoc, MS; Carlos A. Diaz and Eva I. Diaz of Tupelo, MS; her niece Christina Diaz Crane and husband Justin of Pontotoc, MS; her grand-nephews Jude White and Grayson Crane and grand-nieces Rachel White and Anna Crane of Pontotoc, MS.

Additionally, she is survived by marvelous aunts, uncles and cousins in Honduras, Costa Rica, California, New Orleans, and Atlanta. She leaves behind countless friends to cherish her memory.

A Celebration of Yolanda’s Life will be held November 19 (her birthday) at 2:00 p.m., Main Street United Methodist Church, 162 Main St., Bay St. Louis, MS 39520. Please wear purple or other joyful colors. A lantern glow and release along with dispersal of ashes will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the beach at the Washington Street Pier. All are welcome!

Gifts in Memory may be made to: The Alzheimer's Association of Mississippi, 207 W. Jackson St., Suite F, Ridgeland, MS 39157, or Alzheimer's Association . Second Wind Dreams featuring the Virtual Dementia Tour, 10892 Crabapple Rd., Suite 300 Roswell, GA 30075 or secondwind.org. Kidney Cancer Association, P.O. Box 676226, Dallas, TX 75267-6226,or kidneycancer.org The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or American Cancer Society.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Yolanda Elizabeth Diaz Gonzales.