Joyce Jones Diggs

Joyce Jones Diggs was born on November 20, 1941, in Suffolk, VA. She was the youngest of 8 children born to James Edward Jones and Ida Smith Jones.

A proud graduate of the Suffolk Public School System, Joyce excelled academically and graduated as Valedictorian from Booker T. Washington High School in 1960. Throughout her school years, she was selected for All- State Choir, was the Sophomore Attendant to Miss Homecoming, a member of the National Honor Society, and several other clubs and organizations.

Joyce went on to attend Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), where she earned a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in speech and drama in 1964. She was a sweetheart of the Pershing Rifles Military Fraternity, a member of the Hampton Players Drama Group, Women’s Senate, and in 1963 she joined the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

After college, Joyce taught 7th & 8th grade English at Mosby Middle School in Richmond, VA. On August 7, 1968, she married her high school sweetheart, Harvey M. Diggs, Jr. Together, they embraced a military life in the Air Force for 20 years, welcoming two children: Lori, born at Griffis AFB in New York, and Harvey III, born at Langley AFB in Virginia. Joyce had the opportunity to teach in 2 foreign countries- Taiwan and England, and 4 states -VA, NY, GA, and DE.

Upon Harvey's retirement from the Air Force in 1988, the family returned to Suffolk, where Joyce taught at Booker T. Washington High School (her alma mater) and later at John F. Kennedy Middle School, ultimately retiring to enjoy her role as a grandmother. She was also a proud member of the Retired Teachers Association.

Joyce accepted Christ at an early age at Tynes Street Baptist Church (now Metropolitan Baptist) and later became an active member of First Baptist Church Mahan. There, she served on the Finance Committee, Scholarship Ministry, Caring & Sharing Committee, co-chair & chair of the Budget Committee, Vice-President of the Volunteer Ministry, and chaired Youth Day and Women’s Day.

In Delta she co-chaired the Scholarship, Protocol and Arts & Letters Committees. She was a life member of the NAACP.

Joyce will be remembered as a faithful woman of God and a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey M. Diggs, Jr, and siblings: Myrtle Stephens, Edna Jenkins, James (Tony) Jones, Dorothy Jones, John Curtis Jones, Marie Everett, and Thurman Jones.

She leaves to cherish her memory: 2 children- Lori Diggs Johnson and Harvey M. Diggs, III (Dominique); 6 grandchildren- Jordan Johnson, Jada Johnson, Harvey Diggs, IV, Alexa Diggs, Devin Diggs, Catherine Diggs; sisters-in-law Muriel Diggs Felder and Onita L. Jones; "sister" – Lynn Richards- Spruill (John); loving nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and friends.

Joyce’s legacy of love, faith, and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A Omega Omega Service will be held 5:30-6:00 p.m. in the chapel of Crocker Funeral Home followed by a wake until 7:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held 12pm, Thursday, November 14, 2024 at First Baptist Church Mahan Street. She will be laid to rest at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery on Friday, December 6, 2024. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.