Mary Elizabeth Diggs-Kenney

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Diggs Kenney, formally of Smith Mountain Lake, VA resident of 1 Harbor Court, Portsmouth, Virginia, passed away at 4:44 AM, on Sunday 13 September 2020 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk VA. Mrs. Kenney was born on March 2, 1926, in Barracksville, West Virginia the only child of the late Lloyd Diggs and mother, Ruth Lee Gant. Following a coal mining accident of her father on 30 March 1937 Marion, West Virginia, Mrs. Diggs Kenney traveled to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania then to Zuni, Virginia to live with her grandparents Walter Scott (Grace Ann) Diggs, cousin George Alvin Joyner and cousin lifelong friend Gladys Eley Joyner (Bunnie). In 1946 Mrs. Diggs Kenney finished her early schooling at the Isle of Wight Training School in Smithfield, Virginia, where she graduated Cum Laude. Returning to Morgantown, West Virginia, on October 10th of that year she married Oscar Ralph Kenney, who predeceased her on November 16, 1968. Family being important, Mrs. Kenney and her 8 children moved to, Olean, NY, In 1962 East Orange, New Jersey, then Detroit Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Cleveland, Ohio. While pursuing a lifelong dream to obtain her degree in Sociology, Mrs. Diggs Kenney worked several jobs, including, housekeeper, sales clerk for Bamberger department store, and switchboard operator for the Kaplan Law Firm. On April 30, 1977, at the age of 51, Mrs. Diggs Kenney graduated Mercy College of Detroit earning a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Social Work. On Dec 21, 1990, at the age of 65, Mrs. Diggs Kenney graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with an MSW in Social Work & Psychology. Mrs.Diggs Kenney also studied at Shaw University and Wayne County Community College. She taught third grade at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Detroit, Michigan From about1980 to 1986, Mrs. Diggs Kenney worked for Cuyahoga, County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Service Department where she was selected handled high profile cases. Mrs. Diggs Kenney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints where she proudly served as Librarian. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Honor Society, and the Rosicrucian Order. Mrs. Diggs Kenney is survived by son Anthony Kevin (Maria) Kenney of Virginia Beach, Virginia, daughters Barbara Ann Kenney-Tracey of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia,a daughter in law mom called “the love of her life;” Juana Canela of Perth Amboy, NJ. adopted daughter Crystal L. Wynder, Chesapeake, Virginia, daughter Marsha Lee Malone Kenney, of Baltimore, Maryland; grandchildren Camile Nicole Kenney, Carmen Nicole (Robert) Brown, Danielle Elizabeth (Seth) Mitchelle, Tina Elizabeth McCree (Eric) Orr, Dana Elizabeth (Harold Jr), Holmes, Keisha Elizabeth Messier; Morgan Tracey, Nicole Williams, three grandsons; Anthony Kenney Jr, & Wesley Kenney of Perth, Amboy, NJ and Jullian Tracey of Waynesboro, Virginia, a nephew Scott L. (Gail) Kenney of Texas. Mrs. Diggs Kenney's first cousins, Virginia (Vernon) Nelson, of Buckeye, Arizona, Cynthia Marie Joyner Tynes, and Patricia Ann Joyner of Hampton, Virginia. Additionally, Mrs. Diggs Kenney had more than 20 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Diggs Kenney was predeceased by a loving daughter Carol Ruth, and four sons; equally caring sons Gregory Steven, Lester Eugene, Ralph Lloyd, and Tracy Harrison.

Mary Elizabeth Diggs-Kenney

March 2, 1926 - September 13, 2020