Diane P. Ashmead

Diane Pennington Ashmead, 92, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. A Jacksonville native born at St. Luke’s Hospital and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1950, Diane was a long-time member of Southside Baptist Church (Aspire Church). She was employed at Unisource Paper Company where she worked in accounts payable and following her retirement volunteered at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital for several years.

Diane enjoyed spending time gardening in her spacious yard, doing crafts, and sewing. She also enjoyed time spent fishing with her husband and father-in-law, watching tennis, and traveling with her daughter, Andrea, as well as taking a few trips and cruises with her husband, Bill. Holidays were one of her biggest pleasures with her cherished grandchildren at her daughter April’s home. Diane was happiest at her dream home in St. Nicholas situated on the Ashmead family homestead in the house she and Bill painstakingly built themselves over the course of 2 years.

Diane is predeceased by her loving husband of 51 years, William Arthur Ashmead Jr. (Bill), her parents Gussie Leigh Pennington and Jefferson Lee Pennington, Sr. and her brother Jefferson Lee Pennington, Jr. (Buddy). She is survived by her daughters April Diane Coats (Charles Crosson Coats, III), Andrea Ashmead, and her grandchildren Charles Crosson Coats IV (Jayme) and Christin Diane Coats.

A visitation for Diane will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hardage - Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207. A committal service will occur Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.