Diane Cone

AUGUSTA, GA. – Diane Amacker Cone, 79, beautiful wife of the late Kenneth Andrew Cone, Sr., entered peacefully into rest Tuesday, December 12th, 2023. Diane was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 1st, 1944, to the late George and Blanche Amacker.  Diane had a fulfilling and worthwhile life, engaging with those closest to her and with her community.  She wanted most to be an amazing wife to Kenneth and mother to their three children.  She succeeded by creating a warm and caring home in which to raise their family.  

Diane was ahead of her time and unwavering in her support of children and adults with disabilities; including her own daughter, Kelly, who she cared for throughout her life.  She worked tirelessly for The ARC of Augusta (for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities) and lived by her favorite saying: “Provide Ability beyond Disability”.  During her 18 years at The Berry Center in Augusta, she served as Activities Director.  She truly loved helping everyone feel included and recognized for who they were.  Diane was a devoted member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church and showed her stewardship in many ways.  She was active in the Homeless Ministry, Right to Life, Eucharistic Adoration and the Living Rosary. 

Diane leaves behind the children she cherished: Kelly Cone, Kenneth Cone (Patricia) of Augusta and Kathryn Lempereur (Dominique) of Huntersville, NC. Her beloved grandchildren Rebecca, Kira, Lauren, Thomas, Clark, and Logan.  Other family members include her three brothers George (Karen), Johnathan, and Christopher Amacker; sisters-in-law, Barbara Schmunk of Dallas, TX and Diane Laffin of Lugoff, SC also brother-in-law Ben Walker of Augusta, GA, along with numerous nieces and nephews, who lovingly called her Aunt Ana. Diane is preceded in death by Agnes Cone of Charleston, SC, Richard and Theresa Gordon, Karl Schmunk of Dallas, Tx, Edward Laffin of Columbia, SC and Janet Walker of Augusta, GA.

We will start the celebration of Diane’s life with a recitation of The Rosary on Sunday, December 17^th, 2023 at 5:00pm at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907. The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Diane on Monday, December 18th, 2023, at 11:00am at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Avenue in Augusta, GA with Fr. Mark Ross as celebrant. The Right of Committal will follow at Westover Memorial Park, where Diane will be laid to rest beside her husband Kenneth, her parents, and Agnes Cone, her mother-in-law.  Pallbearers will be her grandson Thomas Lempereur, nephews; Travis Laffin, Paul Gordon, Andrew Gordon, William (Billy) Gordon, Bruce Walker, and friends of the family Emory Fiveash and Joseph Strickland.  The family will host a reception immediately following at 1:00pm at The Knights of Columbus, 1501 Monte Sano Ave. All are invited to join the family for lunch and to share their happy memories of Diane together.