Anna Jean Diggins

Anna “Jean” (Burchett) Diggins died on October 30, 2026, at the age of 87 after an 18-month long battle with leukemia. She was born on April 3, 1939, in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, but lived most of her life in Maryland. She was the only daughter of the late Eugene “Jack” and Cora Lou Burchett, and had one brother, the late Robert Dean Burchett.

She married the late Wayne Edwards Diggins in 1956, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage together. They have six children, Steven (Rhonda), Randall (Nancy), Karen (Bence), Barry (Tammie), Darla (Danny), and Scott (Jaime).

Jean worked diligently to care for her family as a wife and mother. As the younger children approached adolescence, she began her own childcare business. She served and loved more than one hundred children during the period from 1980 until 2020.

Jean loved her family and her family loved her. The entire family enjoyed camping together every summer and gathering for Thanksgiving each year. Knowing that the end was near, the family celebrated Thanksgiving a month early this year. 39 members of the family -- including her six children, 12 grandchildren, and most of her 10 great grandchildren -- came together to spend time with Jean on October 25th.

Jean also loved God. She met her husband at Fork Christian Church and after they were married, they attended Fork Christian Church, Boulevard Christian Church, Open Bible Tabernacle, Worldwide Church of God, and United Church of God. She was a member of the United Church of God for 31 years and was a member at the time of her death.

Jean died at Gilchrist Center in Towson with her family around her. She spent her life loving God, her family, and many others. She died looking forward to being reunited with her family and others in God’s kingdom.

Visitation will be held at Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., 9705 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 1:00 pm. Visitation will continue following the service. There will be a repast at 3:30 pm, at a location to be announced.

Her remains will be interred at Parkwood Cemetery following a private family graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Gilchrist Center.