Message From The Family
We wish to express our sincere appreciation for all
the love and support we have received
during our time of loss.
Thank you for all your
acts of kindness, support, and love.
~ With Love, The Diggs Family
Obituary
Ulysses “Les” Diggs was born in Havana, Florida on January 17, 1940 to Ernest Diggs and Pirlee Gaines Johnson.
Les attended grade school in Quincy, Florida and graduated from Steven High School in 1958. Les confessed his belief in Christ at the early age of 12. He was baptized under the leadership of his grandfather, the late Reverend Henry Diggs, at Hope Well AME Church in Havana, Florida.
Les had his first daughter, Debbie Diggs, with his high school sweetheart, Alice Bush. In 1960 he moved to Chicago, Illinois where he met Thelma Jones. The couple moved to Portland, Oregon where they married and had two children, Deidra Diggs and Allen Diggs.
In 2000, Les married the love of his life, Althea Allen. Together they enjoyed traveling, entertaining family and friends, and enjoying time with their grandchildren. Whether cooking or playing cards, entertaining guests and having a good time was what Althea and Les enjoyed the most.
If you knew Les, then you knew that he was a jack of all trades. He could build and fix anything with his hands. You also knew that he loved sports. He could often be found watching the game or checking scores in the newspaper. Les was an entrepreneur and the owner and operator of one of Portland Oregon’s first black owned businesses, Upholstery Discount, from 1970 to when he retired in 1999. Les continued to provide upholstery services to family and friends until 2017.
To receive with open arms in heaven is his parent, Ernest Diggs and Pirlee Gaines Diggs Johnson; siblings, Earnestine Webb, Lugene Brown; brother-in-law, Joseph Webb; and nephew, Saleen Johnson.
To celebrate his life and memory here on Earth is his wife, Althea Diggs; children Debbie Diggs of Woodland, CA, Deidra (Arthur) Logan of Kansas City, MO, Allen (Rhonda) Diggs of Portland, OR, and Tyese Lumpkin of Portland, OR; Hazela (Benny) Kennedy of Dalzell, NC, Charles (Anita) Johnson of Boston, MA, and Earnest (Mary) Diggs of Fort Lauderdale, FL; eleven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, four great, great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephew, family and friends.
Bible Verses
For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord ; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
- Jeremiah 29:10-14
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
- Psalm 91: 1-16
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
- Psalm 23:1-6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
This, then, is how you should pray:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
- Matthew 6: 5-14
Order of Service
Ulysses "Les" Diggs
Welcome
Michelle Johnson
Opening Prayer
Mrs. Sandra Bryant
Scripture (Old & New Testament)
John Henry Jones
First Musical Selection
"A Song For You"
"Take Me to The King"
Carlos Warner Jr.
Condolences
Amir Bombata, Great Grandson
Poem Reading
Ina Kennedy
Second Musical Selection
"Amazing Grace"
Refections & Remarks
Jimmy Ware
LaiLa Byrd
Allen Diggs Sr.
Third Music Selection
"When We All Get to Heaven"
Eulogy
Minister Matthew Bryant
Closing Prayer
Minister Matthew Bryant
Final Musical Selection
"Heaven"
Remember Me
Remember me with smiles, not tears,
for all the joy through all the years.
Recall the closeness that was ours,
A love as “sweet” as fragrant flowers.
Don’t dwell on thoughts that cause you pain,
We’ll see each other once again.
I am at peace….try to believe,
It was my time… I had to leave.
But “what a view” I have from here,
I see your face; I feel you near.
I follow you throughout the day,
You’re not alone along the way.
And when God calls you…you will be,
Right by my side… right here with me.
Till then, I’ll wait by heaven’s door,
We’ll be united… evermore.
—Unknown
