Hurschel L. Diffie

Hurschel Diffie Obituary

Pastor Hurschel L. Diffie was called to his eternal reward June 22, 2008. Formerly from Phoenix , Arizona , he had been residing with his daughter in Cumming, GA since the death of his wife, Hazel, three years ago. He was born in Beaton, AR May 1, 1915, and shortly after his marriage in 1935 moved to Bisbee , Arizona . In 1944, after accepting a call into the ministry, he left Bisbee and moved to the Phoenix area where he spent the next 61 years in ministry at the 44th Street Church of God, which is now Parkway Community. His ministry in the valley extended far beyond his church. Pastor Diffie was first and foremost a servant of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, a man of great faith, a leader and role model. He was a dedicated companion to his wife, of 69 years, a devoted father to two daughters, a doting Grand Dad and Great- Grand Dad, and a terrific friend to countless others. Hurschel is survived by his daughters Gayle Rodgers (Robert) of Cumming, GA , and Gloria of Phoenix. His grand children are Bob and Melinda Rodgers of Snellville , GA , Dr. Jeff and Angie Rodgers of Norcross, GA, Tyanne and JP Miller of Sevierville, TN , and Rick and Melissa Youngkin of Camden, SC. Great grand children are Taylor, Cory, Bobby, Jessie, Blake and Hunter Rodgers, Macee Miller, and Grey Youngkin. He is also survived by a sister, Novella Griffin of Peoria, Arizona and nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by family and all who knew him. Our loss is heaven's gain. In lieu of flowers, gifts can go to the Hurschel L. Diffie Scholarship Fund at Church of God Theological Seminary, 900 Walker Street NE , Cleveland, TN 37311 . Express online condolences at www.mem.com. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 5:00 PM in Green Acres Chapel of Light at 401 N. Hayden Road . Scottsdale , AZ 85257 (480-945.2654). Funeral Service held Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Parkway Community Church of God, 1751 E. Maryland Avenue , Phoenix, AZ 85016 .

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Jun. 27, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Hurschel Diffie

9 Entries

Misty Price

June 28, 2008

Uncle Hurschel what a beautiful soul!!!
We have the comfort of knowing you are up in Heaven watching over all of us.
We love you & will miss you deeply.
Give Aunt Hazel a big hug & kiss from us :)

Love always,
The Price Family

Larry Diffie

June 28, 2008

Gayle, Bob & Gloria and all the Grandkids,
My father provided me some great guidance in living right or wrong in the world! His older brother, the Rev. Hurschel Diffie, your father, my uncle, influenced me more than I'd ever imagined. As I now walk my life with Christ, I reflect back on his love for God, his family and those he ministered to. That passion has helped me in reaching for a deeper connection with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I will be forever grateful for his presence. My memory of him will be forever etched in my mind and my heart. Uncle Hurschel stood tall in Faith and in life. And he was an awesome role model for me to look up to, not only as a younster, but to this day. I wish you all peace in your loss. He is with the Lord and with Aunt Hazel and, will not leave our hearts.
Honored to be his nephew, Larry Diffie & Family

Beverly (Phillips)Geesey

June 27, 2008

Gayle and family: Having known all of you all of my life your Dad was one of the pastors that I admired and respected so very much as I was growing up. My last trip to Phoenix, I had a wonderful visit with him and responded to the prayer time just so I could have Bro. Diffie pray for me. It is a memory I will always cherish. My prayers are with your family during this time.

Rosemary Peacock

June 24, 2008

Gayle, I feel truly blessed to have met your Daddy at the time in his life when we did. Pat was telling me Sunday how excited and how he laughed when he found out he was is hospice. I truly believe some people just know when their time is near. You are blessed that he still knew you and your family and that he could understand this time in his life. I truly believe he took Heaven by storm. I do not believe he went in slowly nor quietly. Reverently...YES, but he had to many and too much to see to go quietly. I am praying for you and your family what a loss this is and what a hole it leaves in your lives, but what a day when we can all realize that we are just days away from Heaven like he did.
Mike and Rosemary Peacock

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James Byrd

June 24, 2008

Gayle, your Daddy was a true man of God, who lived right, loved well, served with nobility and honor, set a proper example, multiplied himself through a message of God's redeeming love, modeled grace and forgiveness, and now serves as one of the great cloud of witnesses awaiting our coming!
Genie and I are praying for your comfort, and that of your great family!

James Byrd, Marietta, Georgia

Gabriella Duffy

June 24, 2008

Even though our hearts are breaking, thank god for Pastor Diffie and thank you for introducing him to our lives. We have been truly blessed to sit before him and listen to wonderful stories of hope, love and life. I will truly miss delivering omelette's to him and I will miss him saying "I just love you guys" we loved him and are honored that we got to know him for the short time that we did. Love Always, Gabriella, David, Cody & Hunter

Eddie Robbins

June 24, 2008

Gayle and family..

Cathy and I rejoice in the homegoing of your wonderful Dad. Even though it is sad and you will miss him, he has made it to the place he preached about for so many years. God bless each one of you!!

Victoria & Carol Albee

June 24, 2008

Gayle and Family--
What an honor to have gotten to meet Br. Diffie at the latter part of his ministry. I can honestly say that I never met anyone who loved his Savior any more than he did. I am thankful that he is now rejoicing in the presence of the one he served so faithfully for these many years. Our prayers are with you. Vickie

Jim and Merle Henry

June 24, 2008

Gayle, Bob and Family
We celebrate with you the graduation of precious Bro. Diffie. While we are sad, and he will truly be missed, we know he is rejoicing with your mom and others around the throne of God. I have never met a more gentle, loving, compassionate and "true gentleman" than your Dad, Gayle. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers.

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