Delores E. Diggs

Delores E. Diggs Battle Creek Delores Elizabeth (Boykin) Diggs, 75, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2008 at Kalamazoo's Borgess Medical Center. She was born December 16, 1932 in Memphis, TN the daughter of Levester Boykin and Arnease Elizabeth (Starks) Boykin. Delores began her career in public service as a Social Worker. As a Program Coordinator for the Head Start program, she initiated the education of many young children. She moved on to supervise a similar program in Kalamazoo, (Kal-Cap) for 8 years. Then she joined the Mid-Counties Employment and Training Consortium (Michigan Works) where she worked her way up from Planner to Executive Director. She was responsible for job training for many young adults who had been her charges in Head Start. She spearheaded the development and construction of the West End Community Center on West Michigan Avenue in the Washington Heights Neighborhood. The Center was dedicated to her in 1991. She directed Mid-Counties until her retirement in 1996. She was a member of National Negro Business and Professional Women's organization. Delores was a noted civil rights and community activist. She was a founding member of the Congress of Racial Equality, (C.O.R.E.) Battle Creek branch and served as its secretary. She helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington and a similar march in Battle Creek. She hosted other civil rights activities such as Floyd McKissick, President of C.O.R.E., Muhammad Ali, and James Farmer of C.O.R.E. in her Oaklawn Avenue home. She was a member of the NAACP and the Urban League. Delores was known throughout the community as "Miss Diggs" and as a caring individual who believed in people and that everyone had a right to happiness, a good life and personal achievement. She married Kenneth H. Diggs on September 16, 1952 in Detroit; however the marriage ended in divorce. Delores is survived by parents: Levester Boykin and Arnease Elizabeth Boykin, both of Battle Creek; four daughters: Angela O. Diggs Jackson of Oak Park, MI, Joyce A. Dotson of Battle Creek, Karen M. Diggs of Holland, MI, Arnease Elizabeth and John Bradford of New York City, NY; one son: Rodney and Zenola Diggs of Nashville, TN; her longtime companion, Mr. Henry B. Dunbar of Battle Creek; twelve grandchildren: Nina Rudd, Nkenge Jackson Bergan, Mackenzie Jackson, Karima Holmes, Robert Diggs Powell, Darren Diggs, Cameron Diggs, Victor Diggs, Amika C. Diggs-Johnson, Shannon L. Sweet, Kelly L. Dotson, and Darren Wayne Dotson; twenty great-grandchildren: Vicki Corbin, Michael Corbin, Joy Corbin, Shanel Corbin Diggs, DeWayne Whitehead, Deon Harris, Monte Corbin, Joe Corbin, Imara Bowers, Jackson Bergan, Braxsten Dotson, Zayna Diggs, Zakiya Diggs, Zion Diggs, Alexa Diggs, Madison Diggs, Atira Dotson, Azariah Sweet, Anitia Holmes, and Nautika Holmes; and her brother: Willie Lee Boykin of Memphis, TN. She was preceded in death by her son: Frederick Lamont Diggs (November 14, 2007) and a sister: Agnes Farmer (September 1991). Delores attended Booker T. Washington High School and "dearly loved" to dance with her best friend, Columbus, and was a star on the girls track team. Delores became a disciple of Jesus on her thirteenth birthday. Upon arriving in Battle Creek, Delores placed her membership with the Second Baptist Church. Eventually, she became a member of Mount Zion AME Church where she remained until her sunset on December 5, 2008. She loved her family, enjoyed listening to her extensive music collection, gardening, traveling, she enjoyed rehabilitating older homes, and her main passion was helping people. Friends and family are welcome to come to Bachman Hebble between 12 Noon and 7 p.m. on Friday to sign the register book prior to the service. Memorial funeral services will be held Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. at the Faith Assembly International Christian Fellowship, 400 West Michigan Avenue, with Elder Christopher J. McCoy officiating. Inurnment of cremains will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI. Memorial tributes may be made to In as Much House, 148 East Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49014 or Family & Children Services. Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes. (269)965-5145