Obituary of Frances H. Diggs

Life Story Frances Helen Diggs was born on June 29th 1930 in Roxboro, North Carolina, to the late Ursula and Thomas Clay. Frances was the youngest child of this union. When Frances was three years old, the family relocated to Camden, New Jersey. Upon relocation the family found a spiritual home at Bethel AME Church. Frances was a regular member. She sang in the choir and participated in several church organizations, including the Sharps and Flats. Frances was educated from K to 12 through the Camden City school system. In 1947, Frances recorded a vinyl record, singing “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Because”, at the tender age of 17. In 1949 she graduated from “the Castle on the Hill” Camden High School. Upon graduation Frances worked as the first Black Bank Teller at South Jersey Federal Credit Union in Camden, New Jersey. Frances sang with Opera Ebony in Philadelphia under the tutelage of Malcolm Poindexter and was a member of Valkyries, Inc. a social services organization. In 1955, Frances married Louis Buell, Senior. From this union, Wanda Lynn and Cheryl Renee were born. Frances was a loving parent and even more loving Grandmother and Nana (great-grandmother). Frances found a new church home in 1964 when she joined Parkside United Methodist Church. She was an active member in the Golden Age Club. Frances worked as a Clerk at Fetters School in Camden, New Jersey prior to graduating from Camden County College with her Associate’s Degree in 1972. In 1974, Frances graduated from Glassboro State College with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, Frances taught Kindergarten at Ulysses S. Wiggins School, retiring in 1991. In 1987, Frances was re-married to her longtime sweetheart, Gerald Diggs. The two along with their daughters and grandchildren traveled across the U.S. Frances was pre-deceased by her devoted husband, Gerald Diggs, inseparable sister, Beulah Jenkins, and her parents and siblings. Although she has gone home to her Heavenly Father, she leaves a legacy of love with her family, her devoted daughters, Wanda Mitchell and Cheryl Chavis (late Terry Chavis); adoring grandchildren, Giovanna Hanchey (Joe Hanchey), Cheri Woods (Dawud Woods), Fred Mitchell, III (Nateshia Mitchell), Ian Mitchell (Tanja Mitchell), Ashli Williams; one devoted and adorning granddaughter, Brandi Williams; loving great-grandchildren, Calvin Bell III, Delilah Mitchell, Ciia Williams, Jaila Williams, Mya Dabney, Laila Williams, Carter Woods, Ethan Jones and Aubrey Mitchell; one loving brother Arthur Clay; nephews, Thomas Clay and Arthur Clay, Jr.; nieces Sandra Wiley, Donna Walker, Gina Williams (Don Williams), and Terri Coney (Evans Coney), one very special niece/daughter Lori Ann McGuffin (Donald McGuffin); and a host of great nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, all of whom were blessed by her life.