Born June 28, 1945 in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the youngest of four daughters, Joan, Beverly, Marilyn, and then Diane. Diane graduated from Southport High School in Indianapolis and then attended Indiana Central College. Diane Elaine Carmichael-Garrett-Adams was the daughter of Raymond and Lucille Carmichael.

Diane wed Jerry Garrett in 1966 and reared two boys, James Deason in 1969 and Ronald Ray in 1971. Diane was a two-time Pillsbury Bake Off winner for the state of Indiana. As a finalist in 1971 she participated in Hawaii at the national bake off contest. In 1976 she once again represented Indiana at the national contest, this time in Boston. While working at Indiana Bell Telephone she also was a Tupperware sales representative for many years.

On August 1st, 1981 Diane and I, Ronald E. Adams of Indianapolis, exchanged vows at Southminister Presbyterian church in Wanamaker, Indiana, where we attended and later became members.

As a non-smoker, in 1991 Diane was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and was given a 6 month survival rate. Diane retired in 1992 as marketing manager for Indiana Bell Telephone.

After a series of radiation treatments the cancer disappeared for 8 years. Her oncology professionals were very perplexed about her unusual survival and were known to refer to her as a walking miracle. On May 2, 2002, Diane was the keynote speaker for the Central Indiana Wellness Community relaying her amazing story of survival to the oncology doctors and nurses at the Indianapolis conference. She also participated in a video directed at inspiring pharmaceutical researchers and developers to continue to search for new methods to battle diseases, specifically cancer. She wanted to share that their work had made a difference in her life and would for others as well. Even in her illness many people were touched by her story and viewed her as a pillar of strength and faith.

Diane was the catalyst that held our family together with harmony, she was the eternal peace maker, kind and compassionate to everyone and everything. Jesus Christ was the center of her being and her personal relationship with him amazed me many times. As it guided her life, it changed mine as well. Prayers were literally answered, as I watched. Because of her faith, I now know what is required in this life and will forever be grateful to her.

What impressed me the most was her determination toward any goal. I have seen her perform as an attorney, home decorator, religious counselor, public speaker, conflict negotiator, accomplished cook, party host, story writer, poet, song writer, supervisor, a mother, grandmother and a wife, each with amazing results.

I was proud to have known her, and honored to have been her husband.

Ronald E. Adams