Henry Joel Diffee's Obituary
Henry Joel Diffee was born on Aug. 8, 1920 in Williston, TN to Oscar Franklin Diffee and Rosa Mae Lazenby. His early life was spent on a farm with 6 brothers, Murray, Leon, Knox, Bert, Lois and Hugh David and 2 sisters Christine and Justin. He often spoke about the family being self sufficient and everything needed was grown on the farm. His family and the succeeding generations are typified by a story he told about his father. Oscar served on a committee that debated whether to accept government subsidies for withholding farmland from crops. He vehemently opposed any government aid for such and his attitude of hard work and paying one’s way was instilled in all the brothers and sisters. Upon leaving the farm he began working at Fisher Aircraft where he met Marjorie Ruth Pulliam who became his wife and the love of his life for 61 years until she passed on Dec. 16, 2006. They welcomed three children into the world, Ginger, Dennis and Jerry. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Saipan in the Pacific. After his release from the service he began working at Anderson Tully Lbr. Co as the dry kiln foreman and retired in 1979. He was a member of Highland Heights Methodist Church for 47 years and loved his Pastor, Sunday School Class and extended church family . He and mother always loved going out with their Supper Club and considered those as the closest of friends. After retirement, and typical of his upbringing, he loved to garden and for many years, until he no longer could, he maintained a garden in his backyard and the senior garden at Shelby Farms. He was a warm, friendly person who always had a smile and a wave for neighbors whether he knew them or not. He loved his family and always enjoyed family reunions in the country and seeing brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. The last of his families generation and preceded in death by his grandson Alan Tyler, he leaves his children and spouses, Don, Terrie and Janet , grandchildren, Adam, Chelsey, Anna, Clayton and Lindsey great-grand children, Jonthan, Micah, Faith, Gracie, Bailee and Riley and a host of nieces and nephews to cherish his memory. We find comfort in knowing you are where you want to be, with our beloved mother . Thank you for giving your all to us. We love you Daddy.
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