Shirley Ann

Leonard Digby

Ms. Shirley Ann Leonard Digby was born on August 3, 1955, to the late John C. "T.C." / "Hop-a-Long" Leonard and the late Inez Merrett Howard Leonard in Griffin, Georgia.

As a young person, Ms. Digby confessed and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal Savior. She was married to the late Johnny Digby and would later fall in love with Glenn Brown. As time passed, she would eventually build a lasting and loving relationship for some thirty-plus years with the late Timothy Newton. Ms. Digby was blessed with three adorable daughters: Orecia, Omeshia, and Okelia. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Orecia Digby Evans; paternal grandparents, John Henry Leonard and Mattie Holmes Leonard Marshall; maternal grandparents, Walter Merrett and Carrie Evans Howard; and sisters, Linda Leonard (Charles) Stillwell and Patricia "Honey" Thomas.

Ms. Digby received her formal education in the Griffin-Spalding County School System in Griffin, Georgia. Early in her professional life, she worked with pre-kindergarteners, positively impacting the social, emotional and cognitive development of so many young children. She would later be employed by the Spalding County Sheriff's Office as a crossing guard until her health declined. In her leisure time, Ms. Digby enjoyed singing, dancing, helping others, and spending time with her family and friends.

On Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Wellstar Spalding Medical Center, our Heavenly Father called Ms. Digby home where she will forever dwell in God's presence. She is now set free from all sickness and pain; and she now rests in peace and comfort as she has ended this chapter of her earthly book.

Ms. Digby leaves to cherish and celebrate her precious memories in the hearts of: her loving and devoted daughters, Omeshia (Darrell) Newton and Okelia Digby Berry; her special and loving companion, Eddie Mayfield; a loving extended family, the Mayfield kids; her caring siblings, Eddie James Byars, Helen Leaks, Renaide Sinkfield, and Karen (Quincy) Ware; five wonderful grandchildren, Naricus Driver, Jr., Jeffrey Evans, Jr., Aurelia Digby, Omarcus Newton, and Darrin Oshay Newton; five precious great-grandchildren; an amazing auntie, Odessa Leonard Reese; a caring brother-in-law, Charles Thomas; a loving son-in-law, Jeffrey Evans; and a dear friend, Willie Mae "Pinchy" Williams. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends to treasure her sweet memories.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Burden's Funeral Home. Service will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel at Burden's Funeral Home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service hour. Interment will follow in Griffin Memorial Garden. Evangelist Gelithia Reid is the Eulogist.