Joan Delores Johnson Diggs, 80, of East Haven, CT, entered into eternal rest on June 1, 2021. Joan was born on May 31, 1941 in Washington, DC, to the late William Lloyd Johnson and Marie Ann West Johnson.

Joan attended Hoffman Boston Middle & Senior High School in South Arlington, VA and graduated in 1958. After graduation she moved to Connecticut where she would meet and married Frederick J. Diggs Sr. in 1961. From their union three children were born, Frederick, David and Kimberly. Joan attended Greater New Haven State Technical College studying Early Childhood Education; children remained a focus of her life’s work. Joan would later teach at the Head Start Program in New Haven throughout the 70s & 80s, becoming a friendly and supportive presence to parents, teachers and children alike. To say that Joan grew in her talents as a teacher would be an understatement. Joan loved children and she loved working with them. In 1989, Joan began employment at the Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) as a Mental Health Worker where she remained until her retirement in 2004. While there, Joan demonstrated her abilities to the fullest culminating in the honor of employee of the year in 1996.

Upon her retirement, Joan relocated to Charleston, SC and became a member of Ashley River Baptist Church. Within the church organization she was a Sunday School Teacher for 10 years, volunteered at the Bread of Life food pantry for 10+ years and at the S.A.M. (Semi Active Members) Program visiting shut-ins to offer food and prayer. In her 16 years in Charleston, Joan also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, the Billy Graham Phone Ministry and the Jenkins Institute for Children.

She leaves to cherish loving memories, sons, Frederick James Diggs Jr. and David Monroe Diggs and wife Lisa Crutchfield Diggs, a daughter, Kimberly Ann Cook and husband Joseph L. Cook; grandchildren Frederick James Diggs III and partner Joaquin Jimenez, Erik S. Diggs and partner Ashley Colon, Jordan K. Diggs and wife Emily Diggs, Aja M. Diggs and partner Spencer Jones, Phaedra M. Diggs, Natalie A. Brown and partner Franky St. Martin, Samir A. Lee, Dominique Wilson and husband Anthony Wilson; great grandchildren Shanelle-Inanna Marisol Diggs, Theodore Emmitt Diggs, Jordan Wilson and Avery Wilson; her former spouse, Frederick James Diggs Sr.; brother-in-law Laurence Diggs and wife Wenifer Diggs; a brother, Maurice Johnson and wife Elsie Johnson; two sisters, Camille Collins and Lois Marcus; sister-in-law, Barbara Johnson; a beloved niece Robin Griffin; Regina A. Wright; Stephanie Booth and a host of relatives, friends and loved ones.

She was predeceased by brothers, William Johnson Jr., Harold Johnson and Thomas Johnson; and sisters, Yolanda Black, Muriel Brawner and Ann Anderson.

An hour of Visitation will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 10:00-11:00 A.M. at Curvin K. Council Funeral Home, 128 Dwight St, New Haven, followed by a Memorial Service to celebrate Ms. Joan D. Diggs’ life and legacy at 11:00 A.M.  The celebration of life may be live-streamed via the following link: https://youtu.be/RJvopUUuMXM