Catherine Eley Diggs

“Heaven Must Have Been Missing An Angel”

On Sunday, June 8, 2025, our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, peacefully and quietly departed this earthly life at her home of residence in Newport News, VA.

Catherine was born on April 30, 1944 to the late Jake Eley, Sr. and Louise Mills Eley. Catherine received her formal education in Isle of Wight County. At an early age, Catherine accepted Christ as her Savior and was a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Ivor, VA. Catherine was employed by Gwaltney Meat Packing Plant for 14 years. She later went on to work for Smithfield Station and shortly after became employed with Hardy Elementary School for seven years prior to her retirement.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, George Junius Diggs, Jr., her son, Reginald Donzell Diggs, Sr. and her loving parents, Jake Eley, Sr. and Louise Mills Eley. Her siblings who preceded her in death are: sister, Eloise Clarke and four brothers, Jake Eley, Jr., Linwood Eley, David Eley, Sr., and Patrick Eley.

She leaves five children to cherish her memory: Sherry Diggs Rowe (Larry) of Fredericksburg, VA, Charlayne Diggs Clarke of Williamsburg, VA (preceded in death by her husband, Dwight Clarke), Gwendolyn Diggs Smith Stevens (Robert) of Williamsburg, VA, George Diggs, Jr. of Hampton, VA, and Shaun Diggs Veale (Reginald) of Chesapeake, VA; her sister, Mabel Eley Howard of Smithfield, VA; (until we meet again) and her sister-in-law, Margaret Eley of Smithfield, VA, along with a host of grandchildren, nieces and a nephew. Catherine, a woman of five generations, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She had an infectious smile that would light up the room when you saw her. She had the gift of being able to hold a conversation with anyone that she met. She was known for being a committed mother and grandmother. She adored her grandchildren ensuring she attended their birthday and graduation celebrations. She was a people-person who enjoyed playing bingo and other games with her neighbors in the Senior Living Community where she lived. Catherine provided love and faithfulness to her family everyday of her life. She was indeed a mother who gave to her family unselfishly, and she was adored by her children who wanted to make sure she received all of her flowers on this side of the earth. We will always be grateful to our mother for every sacrifice she made for us.

We love you, Mama. You will forever live on in our hearts.

On Friday, June 13, 2025 viewing will take place from 3-6pm at Shivers Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12pm on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the chapel. Interment will follow in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery, 14165 Racetrack Road, Ivor, VA 23866. Please keep the Diggs family in your prayers.