Mary Ellen Diggs, 89, of Bethlehem, died July 14, 2026. Born to the late Bert Tarboro Jr. and Louise Lillian Edmondson, she was the wife of the late Hulie M. Diggs, who died in 1996.

She was an active member while first at St. Paul Baptist Church and then at Grace Deliverance Baptist Church, where she was a founding member. She held the positions of Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, Biblical Counselor and shared her singing talents with the choirs.

She graduated from Liberty HS in 1955. She obtained an associates degree from the Northampton Area Community College.

She was an administrative secretary at the state capitol, Bethlehem Steel Corp,, McDonald’s Corporation (Washington D.C.) Lehigh Valley Community Action Committee and AT&T (New Jersey).

She sang in local groups/choirs such as: the Jewel Tone Gospel Singers (York, PA - Director: Doretha McDaniel);the Community Gospel Choir of the Lehigh Valley (Director: Faith Strong with Gene & Ella Strong); Grace Deliverance Baptist Church Gospel Choir (Director/Pastor Lorenzo Hall) and the Reading Community Gospel Choir (Reading PA - Director Lewis Fains).

Mary Ellen was predeceased by; her daughter, Lisa L. Huertas; brothers, John Tarboro, Bert Tarboro III.

She is survived by; children Taaz T. Crossley (Joseph) and Hulie M. Diggs; grandchildren: Wynton (Tiera) Crossley, Sterling Crossley, Vincent Diggs, Maricella (Charles) Johnson, Asia (Jude) Saforo, and Camille Huertas; Great grandchildren: Micah Saforo, Immanuel Saforo and Nathaniel Saforo; sister Vivian Hungerford; and cousins, Elsie S. Luciano and Ricardo Saunders.

Arrangements were made by James Funeral Home.