Virginia Digby

Virginia Joy Leathers Digby, age 87, of Odessa, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2012 in Odessa.

She was born July 13, 1924 in Lexington, Kentucky to Ollie C. Leathers and Elva Butner Leathers. She graduated from LaFayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky in 1942. She was baptized in Broadway Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky and married Arthur Digby on February 7, 1946. She attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky and received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky in 1947. She also attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, Texas. She taught school in Plainview from 19571966 and Arlington from 19661998. She was selected as Teacher of the Year in Plainview and twice in Arlington. She was a member of the Disciples of Christ Church, of Kappa Kappa Gamma Teachers Sorority, and Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Sorority. She taught art lessons to children in her home, was Art Docent in Arlington Schools, taught Sunday School, was a Kentucky Colonel, worked in childrens summer camp programs, was active in Christian Womens Fellowship, and was voted delegate to Regional and General Assemblies of Christian Church. She moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1996, where she was a member of First Christian Church and was active in worship, visitation and Christian Womens Fellowship. They moved back to Arlington in 2005 to town Village Arlington Retirement Community. In 2009 they moved to Emeritus at Sherwood Place in Odessa to be near Steve and his family. She hoped the move to Texass dryer climate would help deal with rheumatoid arthritis which she had valiantly battled since she was twentysix years old. She is a participating member of First Christian Church in Odessa. She enjoyed painting, sewing, gardening, crafts, reading, cross work puzzles, Church and family. Her husband, Arthur Digby, says that his ministry for more than a half century, would have been ineffective without her support and encouraging love. Her children call her blessed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Sidney Leathers, Garland Leathers, Ollie Leathers, and Winfred Leathers.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. Dr. Arthur Digby of Odessa, children, Rev. David Digby of Ames, Iowa, Jana Blay of Loloa, Hawaii, and Rev. Steve Digby of Odessa, Texas nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and her sister, Bette Smith of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Memorial services are scheduled for 4:00 PM Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at First Christian Church in Odessa, with Regina Erwin officiating, and again at 4:00 PM Saturday, January 28, 2012 at First Christian Church in Arlington, Texas, with Dr. Andy Magnum officiating.

The family requests memorials be directed to Arthur and Joy Digby Scholarship Fund, Brite Divinity School, TCU or First Christian Church in Arlington, Texas or the Arthritis Foundation.

Service

Memorial Services

First Christian Church of Odessa
601 N. Lee
Odessa, TX  79761
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
4:00 PM

Memorial Service

First Christian Church of Arlington
910 S. Collins
Arlington, TX  76010
Saturday, January 28, 2012
4:00 PM

Memorial Contributions

4300 MacArthur Ave
Dallas, TX  75209


910 S. Collins
Arlington, TX  76010


Brite Divinity School, TCU
Ft. Worth, TX  76129