Diana “Dee” McAmis, 63, passed away peacefully at home, September 18, 2014 while being surrounded by her family. She has so looked forward to her homecoming with Jesus her Savior; Praise His name as she rests in His presence with no more pain.
Dee was born in Savannah, Ga., October 14, 1950 to the late Robbie Sue Hughes and her 91-year-old Dad, Bob Hughes. She was a graduate of Windsor Forest High School. Dee loved all animals, especially horses, dogs and parrots She rode in competition on her palomino “MAE’S LIL CLASSIC” in the Savannah area.
Dee was employed by 84 Lumber, Georgia Pacific and Rheem Manufacturing before finding her long career with Nurses RX and later OGrady-Peyton; they allowed her to help nurses find opportunities in the nursing fields throughout the U.S. Dee loved people and always found time to help others and even in her last days received thank-you cards from nurses she had assisted in placement. One of our closest friendships, Denna Baucom, grew from this career. Denna, now living in Boone, N.C., had visited her two days prior to her passing.
Dee was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she served as Hospitality Chair, Greeter Teams, and the Nursery Staff. Dee loved her church family and always shinned for Jesus while eagerly sharing how He had blessed her life.
Once Dee, in 2006, had relocated to Elizabethton with her husband, Tim McAmis, she purchased and operated “Dee’s Café,” a longtime eatery located near the famous “Covered Bridge.” Her breakfast of gravy and cathead biscuits were famous in the area as “Dee’s Café” was voted “Best Breakfast” three years in a row. She loved to cook great food for all her customers. She was also inspirational to her employees and found time to discuss their problems and share the love of Jesus. During her ownership she sponsored each Christmas Day the “Lottie Moon Breakfast” where all monies and donations went to the mission field.
In addition to her mom, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Hughes, and her mother-in-law, Ruth McAmis.
Survivors include Tim McAmis, her husband of eight years; two children, Kevan Carter and wife Amy, Richmond Hill, Ga., and Clint Carter, Guyton, Ga.; a step-daughter, Dana McAmis, Johnson City; four grandchildren, Bailey Carter, Kayla Carter, Ashley Taberski and Anna Taberski; her father, Bob Hughes, Columbia, S.C., Jim Hughes and wife Georgia and children, James, Jon and Jessica, Cleveland, Ga.; Anne Etheridge and husband Jeff and daughter Hope, Lawrenceville, Ga.; a sister and brother-in-law, Libby and Vic Johnson and children and grandchild, Leslie, Emme and Matt Johnson; her father-in-law, Jack McAmis; several nieces and nephews; special life friends, John and Nancy Lanier, Sammy and Shirley Blitch of Savannah, Ga.; and her special four-legged fox hounds, Sandy and Starr.
The family extends special thanks to all the staff of Caris Hospice, especially Catie and Karen, to the wonderful ladies of Immanuel Baptist Church, and the doctors, staff and wonderful Collette Allen of the Cancer Treatment Center in Zion, Ill.
A service to celebrate the life of Diana “Dee” McAmis will be conducted at 5 p.m. Sunday, September 21, at Immanuel Baptist Church, Hunter Avenue, Elizabethton, Tenn., with Rev. Travis Biller officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 3 to 5 p.m. prior to the celebration. The graveside services and entombment will be at 10 a.m. Monday, September 22, in the Mausoleum of Peace at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Please meet at Memorial Funeral Chapel at 9:30 a.m. to proceed to the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Mike Lingerfelt, Kenny Henson, Joey Davis, Darrell Ledford, Sean Good, Vic Johnson and Jacob Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Matt Shields, Matt Johnson, Eddie Pope, Dwight Reece, Larry Pinkston, John Holsclaw, Jeremy Odom, Mike Odom, Rick Norris and Jeff Etheridge. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the India Mission Fund of Immanuel Baptist Church, 205 Hunter Avenue, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Condolences may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the McAmis family.