Wafford J. Daigle, Jr.

Wafford James Daigle, Jr. of Kinston, NC passed away on December 10, 2021, at the age of 90. After several months of declining health, Dub, as he was affectionately known, died peacefully in his sleep. His beloved wife, Joyce of 68 years and their children were by his side.

Dub was born in Lake Charles, La. On February 25, 1931, to father, Wafford James Daigle, Sr. and mother, Mattie Daigle. He graduated from McNeese College in Lake Charles with a degree in Business and was also commissioned 2nd Lieutenant through ROTC upon arriving at Fort Benning, Ga. However, Dub felt the need to resign his position and follow God’s calling into the ministry and subsequently entered Apostolic College in Tulsa, Ok. to prepare for that challenge.

At Bible school he met the love of his life, Joyce Ellen Townsley, and they married on Christmas Eve 1953. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, God led Dub and Joyce to the Carolinas to start several new churches with the United Pentecostal Church. When the Carolina District of the UPCI split between North and South, Rev. Daigle became the first District Superintendent of the newly formed North Carolina UPC district. He was instrumental in developing many ministers to start United Pentecostal Churches all over the state. He also pastored and started many churches himself along with his devoted wife and family. When Dub wasn’t fishing for men, he thoroughly enjoyed being out on a pond or on the coast fishing with his children and grandchildren.

Dub was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Betty Ruth Smith; brother, Stephen Allen Daigle; and daughter-in-law, Tamara Ruth Daigle. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Ellen Daigle; children, Debbie Ruth Flowers, James Allen Daigle and wife Robin, Becky Ann Wills and husband Ricky, and Raymond Paul Daigle; grandchildren, Shane Flowers and wife Rachelle, Jessica Mizell and husband Larry, James Evan Daigle and wife Lauren Ellisberg, Robert Daigle and wife Tierney, Richard, and Ronny Wills; and great grandchildren, Aiden Flowers, Trista and Melissa Alexander, Jessa Mizell, Collin, Mackenzie, Thomas, Dakota and Riley Wills.

A viewing will be held on December 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. and the funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. The viewing and funeral service will be held at The Lord’s Vineyard, 3651 Salem Church Rd., Goldsboro, NC with Garner Funeral Home of Kinston, NC providing services. A graveside service will immediately follow at Westview Cemetery in Kinston, NC. Rev. David Hayes and Rev. Wayne Huntly will officiate. Pall bearers include Dub’s grandsons and great grandson, Riley Wills.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the nurses, their assistants, social workers, chaplain and staff at Community Hospice of Kinston, NC. Nurse Debbie and CNA Heather will never know what their expertise, loving care and consideration meant to the family during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Lord’s Vineyard Church. The family respectfully requests that all guests wear masks and practice physical distancing.