Robert "Diggs" Wimberley, III
February 8, 1962 ~ May 29, 2023
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ROCKY MOUNT – Robert “Diggs” Wimberley, III, age 61, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023. Born in Nash County, NC on February 8, 1962, he was the son of the late Robert Diggs Wimberley, Jr. and Leah Lee Wimberley. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert Diggs Wimberly, Sr. and Susan Jones Wimberly and William Frederick Lee and Minnie Pittman Lee.
Diggs graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High in 1980 and attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he studied journalism. Diggs started his painting business, Diggs Wimberley Paint and Stain, more than 30 years ago. He enjoyed watching college football and basketball, especially the Carolina Tar Heels. Diggs was an avid reader and would read the News & Observer cover to cover daily when it was being published. He had a sharp mind and quick wit and could discuss any topic from history to current events, politics to music. Diggs had an eclectic taste in music and one friend commented that he was an encyclopedia when it came to rock music. Diggs had a heart of gold and was always willing to help someone in need. Many summers, he would volunteer his time and crew to help with projects at Gate Keepers.
Diggs is survived by his sister, Lee Wimberley Hux of Nags Head; his nephew, Noah Wimberley Hux of Nags Head; his cousins, Greg Lee and wife, Joan, of Lewisville, TX, Chris Lee and wife, Lindsay, of Rocky Mount, Laura Lee Guyette and husband, Carmi, of Rocky Mount, Caroline Gardner Sanchez of Raleigh, and Carlton Gardner of Raleigh; and his best friends, Bill Bulluck and wife, Sue, and Billy Adams, all of Rocky Mount.
A Special Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Diggs’ memory to Gate Keepers c/o Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Ave, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, or the American Heart Association, PO Box 5213, Glen Allen, VA 23058, or the American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
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My deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Diggs. I have so many memories from being one of his favorite bartenders.
i met Diggs years ago in chili’s in rocky mount He was a polite and pleasant person he will be missed DeRonde Richardson
Worked with Diggs and Greg when they were in high school during the summers at Edgemont Meats. Have not seen them in many years. Diggs was super young man back then. I am sure he was a great adult. Praying for comfort and peace for his family.
When Todd and I were first married we worked with Diggs on the weekends some helping to restore old yet beautiful houses. During that time spent with him we learned to appreciate the true art of home restoration which he knew and loved. In fact he gave us a set of brushes and tools for home restoration for a wedding gift. I remember him explaining the purpose of each tool. I still have one cherished tool 32 years later that was given in love to us from our dearest friend. More than his knowledge shared with us throughout the years, we cherish the love and friendships that were made. Diggs we will miss you buddy. Much love, Todd and Susan
When I first came on the scene in Diggs’ life, Bill and I had been in dating bliss for nearly a year. I thought Bill would go to work at the dealership as a respectable ECU graduate but when Bill went to visit Diggs, living in a dump of a trailer in Chapel Hill, he decided that’s where he wanted to be
The first time I met him up there in Chapel Hill, they were grilling pork ribs on a trash can lid of coals and grill they found somewhere. The ingenuity incredible but I saw it at the time as being too cheap to buy a real grill.
I also thought, at the time, I was so cute and funny that everyone liked me. I’d say my funny little comments with nothing more than a grunt or silence in return. Apparently, not everyone thought I was cute….
It was the 80’s and big hair was in. I would bring my electric curlers to do my hair in that God awful trailer bathroom. Diggs, with his thick longish hair, would ask me to curl down a piece sticking up. I don’t know what he did when I wasn’t there, let that piece stick out, I guess, but it was nice a flat when I was around!
The thing is, Diggs was someone who grew on you. And I think I grew on him! He was more than a friend. He was family! He was my brother! I will forever be grateful for the time I had with him, though not enough!