Dewey Don Verni Diggs [Click to enlarge]

Dewey Don Verni Diggs, 72, of Lakeland, Fla., died Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Florida.

He was born April 1, 1936, at Nimmons, the son of the late Charles Franklin Diggs and Alma Dell (Nation) Diggs.

He was a Merchant Marine for Cargill, served as a riverboat captain aboard the "Arrowhead" for 49 years and was an Army Reservist.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Delayne Diggs; a brother, Charles Melton Diggs, and two sisters, Dolly Delores Diggs Lewis and Virginia Mae Diggs Halter.

He will be truly missed by family and friends and is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ruth Vivian Diggs; a son, Dewey Delayne Diggs and wife Cynthia of Independence, Mo.; daughter Linda Louise Diggs Johnson and husband Kent of Mt. Vernon, Ind.; grandson Jacob Daniel Diggs and wife Danelle Ann; great-granddaughter Hailey Jolen Diggs; stepdaughter, Donna Kay Bolyard and her son Bartley Edward Sims; along with several nieces, nephews, loving relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 15, at the Irby Funeral Chapel in Piggott. Burial followed in the Piggott Cemetery.

The arrangements were handled by Irby Funeral Home of Piggott, and those wishing to sign the on-line guest book may do so at irbyfuneralhome.com