Henry Edwin Diggs
December 29, 1925 ~ February 26, 2016
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Henry Edwin Diggs, 90, of Arden, died Friday, February 26, 2016 at his residence.
A native of Saltville, VA, he served in the US Marine Corps during World War II and was a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill.
Following several years on the staff of the Smithfield Herald in Smithfield, NC, he entered the field of human resources with the Olin Corporation, serving as industrial relations manager at plants in Virginia and Tennessee. In 1972, he became corporate director of human resources for Virginia Chemicals in Portsmouth, VA.
Survivors include his wife, Helen, of the home; three sons, Hank of Winsted, CT and his fiancé, Chrissie of Atlanta, GA, Whit and his wife, Kathy of Toccoa, GA and Tim and his wife, Julia, of Houston, TX, as well as four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was an active member of Fanning Chapel United Methodist Church in Henderson County, where a memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, Henry's family asks that you consider making a donation in his memory to either Fanning Chapel United Methodist Church or to Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
To the Diggs family, my sincere condolences on the passing of Mr. Diggs. I have fond memories of our families being next door neighbors in Saltville.
In recognition of Henry Edwin Diggs Honorable Service in the United States Marine Corps, the members of the SSgt Walter F. ‘Trae’ Cohee III Detachment # 115, Salisbury, MD as of well as the members the Tri-Cities Detachment # 969, Gray, TN of the Marine Corps League would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude for his service to God, Country and Corps as well as our sincere condolences to his family.
SEMPER FIDELIS
Don Elseroad
Staff Sergeant USMC (Ret)
MCL Detachment # 115 & # 969
So sorry for your loss!
Helen, I just read of Henry’s death in the Bristol Herald Courier. I wanted to express my condolences to you and the family. I am Sylvia Nye Ferguson, youngest daughter of Dayton. Been a long time since I last saw the beautiful airline stewardess. I can still see you in your uniform and as a little girl I was quite smitten. I got married in 1957 and have lived in Abingdon for the 58 years of my marriage. Bill and I have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Have lost contact with all the Nye cousins. I hope you are enjoying good health.
We are saddened by Henry’s passing and know this is a difficult time for his wonderful loving family. Thank you for allowing us to be a little piece of that. We will never forget being invited to Henry and Helen’s anniversary gathering. What an honor. Henry certainly had an interesting sense of humor and I enjoyed his jokes even at my expense. Helen has to be a saint. Hold on to those special memories.
Love and prayers,
Helen and family,
Thinking of you and remembering those great Saltville days. Henry was a wonderful friend and a great guy.
I have wonderful memories working with Henry for many years on staff at Steelcase Inc. Henry was a great supporter of the employees there and a good friend. May he rest in peace with the Lord.
I am so sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. Henry was responsible for my coming to work at Steelcase and we shared good years working together. I always respected Henry and Helen and their love for one another. I fondly remember the good time had by all at the fifty year wedding anniversary. May the good Lord grant your family strength and understanding .
Helen and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Helen, Hank, Whit and Tim, When we moved to Portsmouth in the early 70s, Henry and Helen adopted us and our baby girl as part of the family. Thanks for sharing. H & H would often take our little ‘boogle’ away for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon ride in the car or over to the house. I can still picture Henry smiling and laughing with that little girl in his lap. Henry could always find a way to enjoy the moment, whatever it involved. Perhaps a lesson for all of us? Many fond memories of a good man who was the salt of the earth. He will be missed, but not forgotten. Peace and Grace to each of you. Rick and Robyn
So sorry…but Heaven will be fuller and happier with Henry in it. We are quickly losing some of our best…Henry, Paul, Bruce, Harvey, Sarah, etc. God bless and sustain us.
Larry & Karen Freeman
Helen and family,
Thinking of you and your family. We all were so fond of Henry, back in the good old days in Saltville. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Henry was a wonderful person.
I’m so sorry to learn of Henry’s passing and he and his family are in my prayers. I will never forget being able to earn spending money during high school years by mowing their lawn and then having the privilege of working at Olin while going to college. Although college was more affordable way back then, it would have been extremely difficult without that summer job. Thanks again, Henry.
Mrs Diggs, we are so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr.Diggs. You both were such good neighbors to us at Laurel Park. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers during this sad time.
I only had the privilege of talking with mr. Henry a few times. My husband knew him well. He was always so sweet and kind. I enjoyed spending time listening and talking with him. I’m so sorry for your loss. God gained an angel. May the Lord watch over you bringing you peace and comfort.
So sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. My husband & I had never met Henry but our daughter & son- in-law, Courtney & Evan McIntosh are neighbors.
Courtney & Evan spoke very highly of Henry & were very fond of him.
Our condolences go out to Helen & Family.
Kent & Sharon Money, Yadkinville, NC