Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

DIGGINS

Bush

Lane

Thomas

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – February 4, 1997

Willa Mae Diggins

March 2, 1936 - Feb. 1, 1997

Mrs. Willa Mae (Bush) Diggins, 60, beloved wife and mother, who resided at 224 E. Bowman, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 5:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at St. Joseph's Medical Center, following an illness.

She was born on March 2, 1936, in Eudora, Ark., to the union of Daisey L. and Matthew Bush, Jr., who both preceded her in death. Coming from Eudora, she moved to South Bend in 1953. On Jan. 15, 1956, in South Bend, she was united in marriage to O.D. Diggins.

She united with Christ in 1961. As a member of the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, she served on the Mother's Board, was a former purity leader, was a member of the Y.W.C.C. for many years, and she was Mistress of Ceremonies for the voices of the Pentecostal Monthly Musical. She founded the soup kitchen that fed the hungry. In 1990, Mrs. Diggins retired from Logan Center where she received the Richard Cleary Family Award for sharing her life with us in a manner that is inspiring to others.

Leaving to cherish her memory are her husband, O.D. Diggins; a daughter, Daisey Diggins; two sons, O.D. Diggins, Jr., and Donnell (Robin) Diggins, all of South Bend; two sisters, Ida Bea Thomas of Little Rock, Ark., and Julia M. (Bush) Lane of Niles, Mich.; two brothers, Melvin Bush of South Bend and Charles Bush of Demons, Iowa; five grandchildren; her loving friend and mother-in-law, Demphsey Diggins; three brothers-in-law, Rev. Samuel Diggins, Elder Bennie C. Diggins and Elder Truman Diggins; five sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, with burial following at Chapel Hills Memorial Gardens. Friends may call one hour prior to services.

Alford's Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements.