Coming to West Texas from Lamar County in a covered wagon and settling in the Cone area in 1923 were John and Lillie Diggs with their four children: Elvenie, Flora Tincy, LaVerne Darter and Thomas Dean.In 1924, Tom and LaMotie Davis traveled from Foard County and settled in the Cone area. With these were their eight children: Ragsdale, Ruth, Ralph, D. J., Elizabeth, Marie, Clay and Tom.
From these two families came the marriage of Ragsdale Davis and Elvenie Diggs February 8, 1930. Ragsdale and Elvenie made their home in Cone. Ragsdale was Crosby County Commissioner, Precinct 1, 12 years between 1953 and 1965. To this union were born Garland Dean on June 11, 1933 and Joyce Marie on September 4, 1934.
Dean and Joyce attended schools at Cone and Ralls. Finishing high school at Ralls, Dean went into the army in February, 1953. After serving two years in the U. S. Army, Dean married Bryanette Bethany in Lubbock, June 17, 1955. Dean and Bryanette added to their family three children: Johnny Dean, David Clay and Pamela Paige.
Joyce went to business school after graduating in 1951 and went to work in Lubbock for J. Roy McCoy, Independent Oil Operator and Drilling Company. Following two years of employment with this firm,. Joyce became employed with Christmann, Welborn and Markham, Oil Operators. On April 3, 1958, Joyce married Bob Miller, then music and youth director of First Baptist Church of Ralls. Bob was also attending Wayland Baptist College. In September, 1958, Bob and Joyce moved to Post, where Bob was music director for first Baptist Church. Joyce continued working in Lubbock for Christmann, Welborn and Markham until March , 1959, when she retired to have their first son, Johnny Loren, April 21, 1959.
In June, 1960, Bob accepted the music director position at First Baptist Church, Kermit. While in Kermit, Bradley Dale was born April 6, 1962, then Monty Lynn December 5, 1963. The following year, 1964, Bob moved his family to El Paso. He was music director at Ysleta Baptist Church as well as taught school in Ysleta Independent School District. In January 1965, Joyce went to work for El Paso Natural Gas Company.
In July, 1967 the Millers moved to Pecos. Bob began working for Valley Motor Company and Joyce worked for the newspaper, Pecos Enterprise. Bob changed jobs in April, 1973 when he became employed at First National Bank of Pecos. Joyce worked as office manager for the Pecos Enterprise for eight years and in September, 1975, went to work for Richard D. Naylor, an attorney.
Johnny completed Pecos High School in May, 1977, and entered Texas Tech in September, 1977. He is working for KCBD, Channel 11 TV Station in Lubbock and Safeway Grocery Store on Indian Avenue.
Source: "Crosby County History Book 1876-1977", Crosby County Historical Commission, ©1977
Transcribed by Cheryl McDonald
John E. Diggs Is Claimed By Death Saturday Morning
John E. Diggs, 64, resident of Ralls and Cone for 26 years, passed away suddenly at 2:45 p.m., Saturday at his home here.He had been in ill health for some time, but his condition had not been considered serious.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Ralls First Baptist church, with Rev. Bill Wideman, Baptist minister of Swanner and nephew of the deceased, officiating. He was assisted by Rev. James S. Abernethy, pastor of the local church.
"Safe in The Arms of Jesus" and "The Home Over There" were sung by the choir with Mrs. Abernethy at the piano. Oleta Anstead and Mrs. Ellis Henry sang, "Where We'll Never Grow Old."
The deceased was born at Paris, Tex., July 10, 1885. He was married to Miss Lillie Holcomb, Dec. 25, 1907. He had been a member of the Baptist church since 1914.
Survivors include the wife; three daughters, Mrs. Ragsdale Dais of Ralls, Mrs. Hugh Jester and Mrs. Bill Jackson, both of Lubbock; one son, T.D., of Ralls, three sisters, Mrs. Mattie Rushing of Pecan Gap, Mrs. C.M. Wartes of Morton, and Mrs. M. Wideman of Ralls; two brothers, Jack of Ralls, and Clifton of Levelland; and four grandchildren, Joyce and Dean Davis of Ralls, and Billy Wayne Christopher and Ike Jackson of Lubbock. All were present for the funeral.
Pallbearers were: W.O. Wheeler, George Noble, Charlie Littlefield, W.A. Lathan, George James and E.F. Creed.
Flower attendants were Mmes. Hayden McCulloch, Arthur Evans, Rube Gray, Joe Jester, Dan James, Jack Robertson, Charlie Littlefield, W.W. Heathington, Mrs. C.O. Gilbreath and George Noble.
Interment was in Ralls cemetery with Marr Funeral home in charge of arrangements.
Out of town relatives and friends attending included; Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Diggs, Levelland; Mrs. J.W. Rushing and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rushing, Pecan Gap; Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Wartes, Morton; Mr. and Mrs. Otis Rushing, Greenville; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Stallings, Stephenville, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Diggs and son, Wolforth; Rev. Bill Wideman, Sumner; Mr. and Mrs. Groves Burton, Mr. and Mrs. Laney Wideman, all of Lubbock; L.D. Holcomb, and Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Daniels, Blue, Okla., Ted Homcomb, Durant, Okla.; and Girdy Walker and Willie of Kenefic, Okla.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hooks, Mrs. Sidney Stallings, and Buddy Sitchler, all of Amarillo; Mr .and Mrs. John Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Tom L. Davis, jr., and Barbara Ann, Gladys Wells, Mrs. Myrl Doyle and Mrs. Tracy Monthey and Mr. and Mrs. Houston Glasson and children, all of Lamest.
Mr. and Mrs. Seaman Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Grady, Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Day, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Bolinger, Mr. and Mrs. Grady Kirkpatrick, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Clark, Mr. and Mrs. E.D. Allison, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Noble, Mr. an Mrs. David Blanton and Celese Ann, Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Wartes and T.A., Mr. and Mrs. George Bartlett, Mrs. Arthur McClurg, Mrs. A. Arant, Mrs. J.C. Patterson and Mr. and Mrs. Howard, all of Lubbock.
The Ralls Banner, October 1949
Record provided by Ralls Historical Museum
Diggs Rites Here Friday
Services for Mrs. Lillie Diggs, 80, of Ralls were held at 2:30 p.m. Friday in with Rev. Floyd Haddock, pastor officiating. Assisted by the Rev. J. L. (Bill) Wildeman of Paris.Burial was in Ralls Cemetery under direction of Carter Funeral Home.
Mrs. Diggs, an area resident since 1923, died about 2:15 a.m. Wednesday at Lubbock´s Methodist Hospital following a brief illness.
Survivors include a son, Thomas Dean of Lubbock; three daughters, Mrs. Ragsdale Davis of Ralls and Mrs. Hugh Jester and Mrs. Bill Jackson, both of Lubbock; a brother, Ted Holcumb of Durant, Okla.; four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Ralls Banner, January 20, 1971
Submitted by Crosby County Pioneer Memorial Museum
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