V. Lucille Diddle

Velma Lucille Diddle was born at her family home in Vandergrift, Pa. on June 6. 1926. Her parents were Charles Glenn and Ethel Mae Barr and she had one sister, Martha.

At the age of 16, Lucille was invited by a high school girl friend to a Free Methodist Church camp meeting where she heard the salvation message and gave her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. She never departed from the commitment she made to the Lord that day. Her future husband, Gerald Diddle and his family attended that camp meeting also and that is where their relationship began to grow and develop.

After high school graduation, Gerald enlisted in the Navy and on December 22, 1944, on a 72 hour pass, Lucille married the love of her life, Gerald, "Buddy" Diddle.

When Gerald left the service in 1946, they moved to Pittsburg, Pa. where he attended college and Lucille worked as a secretary in a Real Estate Office. Their first son, Jerry was born there in 1947.

After graduating from college in 1949 Gerald accepted a position with the Department of Agriculture in the Rural Electrification Administration in Washington, D.C. They moved to Rockville, Md. where their daughter Barbara was born in 1952 and their son Brian was born in 1958. Lucille was actively involved in the Free Methodist church they attended.

In 1973 they moved to Springfield, Mo. where Gerald became the General Manager of Associated Electric Cooperative. Moving to Springfield was such a joy for Lucille because it brought them closer to their oldest son Jerry, who lived St. Louis, Mo. and their daughter Barbara, who lived in Wichita, Ks. at the time.

When Gerald retired from AEC in 1992, they moved to Overland Park, Ks. where Lucille resided until her death on August 9, 2019.

Lucille was a faithful wife and devoted Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Her greatest joy and fulfillment in life came from serving her husband and her family. She loved the Lord, His Word and had a servant's heart. She was the Proverbs 31 woman when in verse 28 it says, "Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her saying, there are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised!

The legacy Lucille leaves to her family is one of love, faithfulness and compassion.

Lucille is survived by her three children and their spouses; Jerry Diddle (Pam) of Overland Park, Ks., Barbara Diddle Thompson (Dick) of Tulsa, Ok., Brian Diddle (Elizabeth) of Olathe, Ks. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, with a 12th great grandchild on the way.



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