Carolyn Diggins

Carolyn Hunter Diggins, loving daughter of the late Benjamin H. Stewart, Sr. and Katie V. Stewart, transitioned into eternal sleep on June 19th, 2022. God transformed her earthly body into a heavenly spirit and was gracefully carried home. May she rest in peace. Carolyn, also known as Butch to her close family and friends, was born on July 8, 1948, in Macon, North Carolina. She was the third of four children and the only daughter. Growing up with brothers, Carolyn learned how to work in the North Carolina fields picking cucumbers and cotton without complaining about the heat. She was introduced to Christ as a young child where she regularly attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Carolyn started her education in the Warren County public school system in Wise, NC, and moved to Baltimore, Maryland with her family in the fourth grade. Carolyn continued her education in the Baltimore City school system. She graduated from Frederick Douglass High school where she participated in multiple extracurricular activities. She was a member of the newspaper club call the Courier Staff, the Physical Education Officials Club and the Women’s Volleyball team. After graduating high school in 1966, she continued her education at Morgan State College majoring in mathematics. Carolyn always had an entrepreneurial desire. After spending several years working at the Social Security Administration, she switched her career path to become a real estate agent at Merrill Lynch Realty. After realizing that working for an employer was not what she wanted to continue to do, she started her career as an entrepreneur. She took classes at the West Side Skills Center where she learned plumbing, electrical and carpentry skills. She began purchasing homes to renovate and she became a landlord of multiple properties. In addition, she had a newspaper business with the Baltimore Sun and she established multiple assistant living homes which she maintained for over 20 years up until the time of her death. Carolyn married Edward V. Diggins Sr and from this union, she was blessed with two children, Edward V. Diggins Jr. and Tara C. Diggins. Carolyn was a free spirit, a go-getter, outgoing, witty and funny. She had a great love for her family and friends, especially her two grandchildren, Daijona Revell and Simeon Diggins. Carolyn’s generosity and care for others was infinite. As her parents grew older and needed care, Carolyn stepped up and became their primary caregiver. She did an outstanding job of caring for parents. Her greatest desire for her family was for them to build a future by staying together. She loved hosting holiday gatherings for them. Carolyn was able to make lasagna like no other! She would make sure both immediate and extended family were included. Family gatherings were like family reunions. Carolyn always made sure she cooked a plethora of food and encouraged everyone to take multiple plates home on each occasion. Carolyn’s devotion to others extended beyond family. She often opened her home to others in need. She loved without ceasing and she lived the following scripture: Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:10 (NLT) Carolyn was proceeded in death by her father: Benjamin H. Stewart Sr.; her mother: Kate V. Stewart, and her youngest brother: Lonney T. Stewart. Left to cherish her memory are her two children: Edward V. Diggins Jr., and Tara C. Diggins; her grandchildren: Daijona Revell (Racheed) and Simeon; two brothers: Benjamin H. Stewart, Jr., Vicellus ‘Pete’ Stewart (Laura), a family friend: Colonel McNeil; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Tributes

Carolyn Diggins

July 8, 1948 - June 19, 2022