Elbert Lynwood Diggs

Elbert Lynwood Diggs entered into the arms of Jesus on May 3, 2026. He was at home with his family and knew he was deeply loved and cared for.

Born July 7, 1934, in Morven NC to Elbert Denzil and Mary Lowry Diggs, Lynwood enjoyed his country upbringing, experiencing hunting trips with his dad and wide outdoor adventures. Upon catching his first fish in a Morven pond during childhood, Lynwood discovered what was to be his lifelong hobby and he pursued it passionately. All his life, his boat could be found any given weekend on numerous area lakes with a cooler full of freshly caught bass and catfish, thereupon a full freezer at home for family and friends to gather for fish frys.

The next passion he found in life was his love for his devoted wife, Shirley MayDee Flowers Diggs to whom he was married for 49 years until her passing.

Lynwood enrolled in the US Airforce in 1952, serving 22 years and was a Vietnam Veteran. In those years, the family was stationed overseas as well as Kansas and Florida. Again, finding any body of water in the area, the family camped and fished on weekends, frying fish at the campsite on an old Coleman stove.

Upon retiring from the military as a Master Sergeant, they moved to the Antioch Community where they refurbished Shirley MayDee's family home, Lynwood joined deer hunting clubs and went dove hunting regularly along with participating in local fishing tournaments in places like Santee. He attended Nashville Auto-Diesel College where he earned a degree in Diesel Mechanics then later obtained an Industrial Electronics Degree and worked in that field for area mills for decades before officially retiring.

Downsizing in later years, they moved to Kelleytown where they were members of Kelleytown Baptist Church, and began the tradition of hosting fish frys for their Sunday School Class.

The enjoyment of travel took them by car across the country, including throughout Canada and Alaska, stopping in destinations such as The Alamo, Yellowstone National Park and Mardi Gras.

His pride and joy were his children, Denzil (Terry) Diggs and Darleane (Blair) Loyd of Hartsville. He was the proud Grandaddy to four grandchildren: Abigail (Robert) Ferrantello, Alexander Glover of Charlotte, Madison (Warner) Mahn of Hartsville, and Payton (Rhett) Andrews of Murfreesboro, TN. His love extended warmly to his four great-grandchildren: Lula MayDee Mahn, Eli Wallace Mahn, Byrdie Jay Mahn and soon-to-arrive Sawyer Vincent Ferrantello.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his sister, Caroline (Bill) Latham; and his beloved wife Shirley MayDee Flowers Diggs.

The Diggs family extends profound gratitude to Crescent Hospice for the exceptional care they extended in Lynwood's final days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be sent to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, online donations T2T.org, by mail 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10306.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:00am from the Chapel of Norton Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. A committal service will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00pm from the Florence National Cemetery.

Norton Funeral Home and Crematory are honored to be of service to the Diggs family.

"Forever loved, Forever remembered"