Mary Alice Lancaster Cone

Mary Alice Lancaster Cone, “Nana,” passed away on June 2, 2017, at her daughter’s home in North Carolina. She was born in Thomasville in 1939, to Allie Kesler Lancaster and Cleo Davis Lancaster. She was married to Heyward L. Cone. Following his death in 1976, she worked tirelessly, often having multiple jobs, to provide for her two children. One of whom, Heyward Gregory Cone, also preceded her in death.

She began working at TECT, as an inspector, when it was still called Textron. It was a job in which she took great pride, she built lasting friendships, and remained there until her retirement.
Mary Alice has a daughter and son-in-law, Charles and Renee Hanson with whom she lived for the past year. The light of her life was her only grandchild, Candice Cone Smith, who, with her husband, Kevin, gave her five great-grandchildren: Jared, Jacob, Riley, Allie Kate, and Dillon Gregory. She is also survived by a nephew, Wayne Lancaster, Jr., that she thought of as a son. She had three siblings who preceded her in death: Harold, Elsie Lancaster Wallace, and Wayne, Sr.

Mary Alice remained close with the Cone family and was always grateful for their steadfast love and support following her husband’s death, especially her lovely sisters-in-law. Her sister-in-law, Hazel, was also a great comfort with the recent passing of her brother, Wayne Sr. She was a member of Gateway Baptist church in Thomasville but attended Mt. Zion Presbyterian in Rose Hill, NC during the last year of her life. She was welcomed and loved everyone there, especially her NC pastor, The Reverend Brian Doles.

The family will receive visitors at Allen and Allen Funeral Home Monday, June 5, 5:00pm - 7:00PMpm with a funeral service at the Allen and Allen Chapel, Tuesday, June 6, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gateway Baptist, 1020 Remington Ave, Thomasville, GA 31792 or Mt. Zion, PO Box 188, Rose Hill, NC 28458.