Becky Baird Diggs, 75, of Paragould, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at her home. She was born on February 6, 1949, in Lawrence County to the late Howard Jackson and Lucille Brunson Baird.
She graduated from Greene County Tech High School in 1966. In 1970, she proudly became the first in her family to earn a college degree in elementary education, breaking barriers and setting a remarkable example for future generations. Her dedication to education didn’t stop there; she went on to obtain a master’s degree, which she took great pride in. Becky retired after teaching for 34 years at her alma mater, Greene County Tech. She was a wonderful teacher who dedicated her life to educating and inspiring countless students. Her passion for teaching and genuine care for each student made a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of being in her classroom. Becky loved her students and considered them her “kids.” She enjoyed seeing them succeed in life and greeted them with a hug and kiss when they crossed paths. Becky was affectionately known to many as “Aunt Becky” and as “Gammy” to Kaley and Anna.
In addition to her parents, Howard and Lucille Baird, Becky was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, of 46 years, her mother-in law and father-in law, Bufford and Lucille Diggs; sister and brother-in law, Ethel and Bob Noles; brother-in-law, Don Huffman; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Sam Poe, her great-niece and namesake, Rebecca Suzanne Davenport.
She is survived by her family that she loved so very dearly: sister, Sue Huffman; brother, Bo Baird (Bonnie); brother-in-law, Harold Diggs (Nan); nephews and nieces, Kimberly Dawn (Tim), Norma (Dennis), Gary (Deanna), Donna (King), Mark (Alisa), Anthony (Susan), Sammy (Alison), Mandy (Sam), Andrea (Al), Emily, Allie (Tim), Elisa (Johnathon), Lindsey (Drew), David (Lexi), Landon, Fallyn (Eric), Jenna (Will), Jimmy (KaLynn), Shelby (Trenton), Brittany (Chris), Jacob (Jessica), Sabrina, Lauren, Dakota (Corrine), Lauraleah (Allen) Jackson (Maddie), Matty, Mason, Maxx, Kaley, Anna, Kayla, Colten, Emma, Katherine, Davie Jane, Lane, Luke, Asher, Eli, River, Charlotte, Henry, Lilly, Briley, Houston, Kinsley, Paisley, Jackie, Brentley, Finn, Rhett, Bailey, Everlee,waylon, Brooklyn, Jax, Addilyn, Kadan, Laryn, Ivie, Lydia, Callie, and Luke Allen. Becky was also survived by a host of friends including “the girls” who she enjoyed meeting for breakfast and their frequent talks on the phone as well as a life-long college friend Claudia Lamberson.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Sunday, July 7th in Walcott, Arkansas. A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 6th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home. Brother Rhyne Putman and Brother Tommy Stacy will officiate the service. The burial will be at the Mt. Zion Cemetery.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Terry Smith, Clay Smith, Carl Boozer, Ryan Boozer, Flynn Willis and Johnny Ray Distretti. The deacons of Mt. Zion Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Memorials can be made to the Mt. Zion Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 98, Walcott, AR 72474.