Person Page - 864

     (?) Wick married Joanne E. Bagwell, daughter of Walter Raymond Bagwell and Jeanette Evelyn Johns, after 1971.

     Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. was also known as Jay. Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. was also known as Jess Thomas Bagwell Jr. He was born on 24 December 1932 in Arkansas.¹ He was the son of Jesse Thomas Bagwell and Ruby Lee Johnson.² Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. married Melrose Smith on 27 December 1956 at Fordyce, Dallas County, Arkansas.³ Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. died on 25 December 2020 in Fordyce, Dallas County, Arkansas, at age 88


Jess Thomas “Jay” Bagwell, Jr. of Fordyce celebrated his 88th birthday on December 24, 2020 with his earthly family before joining his Father in Heaven just in time to celebrate with Jesus on His birthday Christmas Day.

“This is the day that the Lord hath made – let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

He was born December 24, 1932 in Horatio, AR.

Enlisting in the US Navy at age 17, Jay served in the Korean War for three years. He graduated from Henderson College with both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees and met Melrose.

For sixty-four years he treasured Melrose as his true love and perfect helpmate. He taught history in Warren for two years before starting the radio station KBJT in Fordyce. He served several years as a deacon of Temple Missionary Baptist Church of Fordyce before being ordained as a minister. In 1969, he was called to be pastor of Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church in Banks, serving for over 34 years.

Jay also pastored at Gravel Ridge Missionary Baptist Church at Hermitage and Kingsland Missionary Baptist Church at Kingsland. Brother Jay knew well his gift of life-long ministry as pastor-teacher glorifying God. He was a true Bible scholar.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jess Thomas Bagwell, Sr. and Ruby Johnson-Bagwell; and his brother, Allan Terry (Butch) Bagwell.

Jay is survived by his beloved wife, Melrose Smith Bagwell; his son, Tracy (Bryn) Bagwell of Fayetteville; his daughter, Dr. Cindy (Bob) Bagwell Crum of Stuttgart; his granddaughters, Dr. Madelyn Rose (Dr. A.J.) Riels of Jackson, TN; Andie Mac (Will) Anderson of Hindsville; Bethany Melrose Crum of Jonesboro; his grandson, Jess Everett (Cadence) Crum of Jonesboro. He also leaves behind his Sister-in-Love, Kathy Bagwell LeForce of Horatio and his cousin, Maxie (Dorothy) Bagwell of Pine Bluff.

The memorial service will be held at Kingsland Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Rick Bolin and Bro. Stan Hobson officiating. We urge you to watch the service on the Kingsland Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page. If you attend, facemasks and social distancing will be observed. The graveside services at Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church near Banks, AR.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to: Bro. Rocky L. Goodwin, EIM (Evangelistic International Ministries), P.O. Box 745, Warren, AR 71671, or donate online at www.eimworldwide.org.

Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce.

To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.¹


He was buried at Cross Roads Cemetery, Warren, Bradley County, Arkansas.¹

     Melrose Smith married Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr., son of Jesse Thomas Bagwell and Ruby Lee Johnson, on 27 December 1956 at Fordyce, Dallas County, Arkansas.¹

     Dr. Cindy Diane Bagwell is the daughter of Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. and Melrose Smith.¹ Dr. Cindy Diane Bagwell married Robert H. Lucy on 26 April 1986 at Temple Church, Fordyce, Dallas County, Arkansas.¹ Dr. Cindy Diane Bagwell married Roger C. Crum after 1987.

     Robert H. Lucy married Dr. Cindy Diane Bagwell, daughter of Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. and Melrose Smith, on 26 April 1986 at Temple Church, Fordyce, Dallas County, Arkansas.¹

     Glenda Gail Boyett married Jimmy Don Bagwell, son of Jack C. Bagwell and Maudie May Lamb, on 2 November 1973 at Pulaski, Arkansas.

     Sylvia Folsom was born on 14 December 1929. As of 28 February 1948,her married name was Bagwell. She married Raymond Harrison Bagwell, son of Claude Harrison Bagwell and Era Webb, on 28 February 1948 at Pike County, Arkansas. Sylvia Folsom died on 7 December 2002 at age 72. She was buried at Oakland Cemetery, Monticello, Drew County, Arkansas.

     Roger C. Crum married Dr. Cindy Diane Bagwell, daughter of Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. and Melrose Smith, after 1987.

     Byrn Wood Bagwell is the son of Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. and Melrose Smith. Byrn Wood Bagwell married Tracy Frank after 1977.

     Kathryn Munn married Allan Terry "Butch" Bagwell, son of Jesse Thomas Bagwell and Ruby Lee Johnson, on 22 March 1968.

     Tonya Bagwell is the daughter of Allan Terry "Butch" Bagwell and Kathryn Munn. Tonya Bagwell married (?) Brakeville after 1988.

     (?) Brakeville married Tonya Bagwell, daughter of Allan Terry "Butch" Bagwell and Kathryn Munn, after 1988.

     Tracy Frank married Byrn Wood Bagwell, son of Jesse Thomas Bagwell Jr. and Melrose Smith, after 1977.

     Margaret Wallace Schilling was born on 31 July 1937 in Rome, Georgia. As of 1 June 1958,her married name was Bagwell. She married John Willis Bagwell Jr., son of John Willis Bagwell and Verdelle Barton, on 1 June 1958 at South Broad Methodist Church, Rome, Georgia. Margaret Wallace Schilling died on 9 May 2025 in Cave Spring, Georgia, at age 87


Mrs. Margaret Schilling Bagwell, age 87, of Cave Spring, GA, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Mrs. Bagwell was born in Rome, GA, on July 31, 1937, daughter of the late Frederick Perry Schilling, Sr., and the late Margaret Wallace Schilling. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband of over 62 years, John Willis Bagwell, Jr., and by a brother, Frederick Perry “Freddie” Schilling, Jr. Mrs. Bagwell was a graduate of Rome High School and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science from Shorter College. She was a longtime, faithful member of South Broad United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Bagwell taught chemistry after college for a year before finding her true calling as a loving homemaker. She took pride in creating and maintaining a caring home, and farm, that her boys and their families could grow up on. Mrs. Bagwell was an excellent cook and could bake like no one around. She used her prowess to create a successful food pantry at South Broad that would be renamed the “Bagwell Food Pantry” and is now located in North Rome. Mrs. Bagwell loved her family deeply and fiercely and created lifelong memories of card games, board games, and watching her family on the farm, but above all, serving others is what she strived to instill.


Survivors include 2 sons, Charles Bruce Bagwell (Margaret), and William Irwin Bagwell (Susan); 4 grandchildren, John Bagwell, Mary Kate Rubin (Josh), William Bagwell (Reannah), and Maggie Bagwell (Daniel Walker); and one great grandchild on the way.

A graveside service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Oakland Cemetery. The Rev. Norv Havens will officiate the service.

Pallbearers will include Charles Bagwell, Irwin Bagwell, John Bagwell, William Bagwell, Josh Rubin and Daniel Walker.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the caregivers that devoted their care and compassion towards Mrs. Bagwell.



She was buried on 11 May 2025 at Oakland Cemetery, Rome, Georgia.

     Ruby Dorothy Bagwell is the daughter of Thomas Milton Bagwell and Louella Willis.

     Georgia Ione Bagwell was born on 8 May 1929 in Rydal, Bartow County, Georgia. She was the daughter of Thomas Milton Bagwell and Louella Willis. As of 1945,her married name was Bennett. Georgia Ione Bagwell married J. C. Bennett in 1945. As of after 2008,her married name was Barton. Georgia Ione Bagwell married Charles Barton after 2008. Georgia Ione Bagwell died on 29 January 2022 in Gordon County, Georgia, at age 92. She was buried at Olive Vine Baptist Cemetery, Bartow County, Georgia.

     John Bankhead Bagwell is the son of Thomas Marier Bagwell. John Bankhead Bagwell married Mary McCord Rood on 12 June 1969.

     Thomas Marier Bagwell died before 1968.

     Mary McCord Rood married John Bankhead Bagwell, son of Thomas Marier Bagwell, on 12 June 1969.

     Betty L. Keeffe was born on 29 December 1890 in Georgia. As of 30 December 1912,her married name was Bagwell. She married Horace Elliott Bagwell, son of John F. Bagwell and Mary Lou Bradford, on 30 December 1912 at Fulton County, Georgia. Betty L. Keeffe died on 23 November 1979 in Gordon County, Georgia, at age 88. She was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina.

     Linda Raye Sudderth married David Keith Bagwell, son of Reverend Maurice Leland Bagwell and Alice D. (?), circa 1971.

     Captain Bernard Michael Davey married Martha Elizabeth Bagwell, daughter of Chester Augustus Bagwell and Ethel J. Morgan, in March 1945.

     Lucille Conner married Master Sergeant Eugene Edward Bagwell Jr., son of Eugene Edward Bagwell and Della Pearl Kimsey, on 5 February 1942 at Bishopville, South Carolina.¹

     Jean Marie Young was born on 27 June 1929. As of circa 1948,her married name was Bagwell. She married John Frank Bagwell, son of John Royce Bagwell and Rozelle Margaret Gaines, circa 1948. Jean Marie Young died on 20 March 2021 at age 91

Jean Marie Bagwell was a caring and loving mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. She passed away on March 20, 2021 at age 91.

She was born to Mary Jane and Henry Odell Young on June 27th 1929 and was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Frank Bagwell. After meeting John they lived in several places while he was in the service before settling down in Decatur Georgia. Together, they had 1 child, Don.

Jean loved spending time with friends and family, playing bridge, and listening to music. She enjoyed living and entertaining her friends from her home in Decatur, where she resided for 52 years. She enjoyed taking long walks from her home there, visiting with her many friends from the neighborhood on her walks. She was a dedicated member of Briarlake Baptist Church while living in Decatur and exhibited her Christian Faith throughout her life.

She is survived by her son Don, her sister Betty Guffin, three grandchildren Michael Bagwell, Andrew Bagwell, and Katie Crim, and 2 great grandchildren. Her son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all live near West Chester, PA, where she was able to enjoy the last years of her life with them while still being proud of her southern heritage and accent.

     Donald Wayne Bagwell is the son of John Frank Bagwell and Jean Marie Young.

     (?) Seymour married Jane Bagwell, daughter of John Royce Bagwell and Rozelle Margaret Gaines, after 1945.

     Hunter Densel Bagwell is the son of Rickey Lewis Bagwell and Patricia Darlene Seward.

     Wanda Ruth Cummins was also known as Wanda Ruth Gumns. She was born on 17 September 1926 in Bruceville, Knox County, Indiana.¹ As of 14 December 1996,her married name was Bagwell.¹ She married William Harris Bagwell, son of Thurman Selmer Bagwell and Alpha Omega Burgess, on 14 December 1996 at Trail Creek, La Porte County, Indiana.¹ Wanda Ruth Cummins died on 28 June 2019 in Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana, at age 92


Wanda R. Bagwell (Cummins), age 92, of Trail Creek, IN, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019 at Franciscan St. Anthony Hospital in Michigan City.

Wanda was born on September 17, 1926 in Bruceville, Indiana.

Wanda is survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws and numerous other loving relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husbands: Arthur C. Gumns, Sr. and William Bagwell; parents: David Elmer Cummins and Esther Ellen Cummins (Brown); son: Arthur Gumns, Jr; daughter: Kathy Browning; siblings: Doyle Cummins, Mildred Hatfield, and Blanche Williams; grandsons: Todd and Scott Gumns.

Wanda retired in 1989 from Jaymar Ruby after 26 ½ years from the Quality Control Department. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, the Moose Lodge Auxiliary #980, and a Volunteer for four years with the Red Cross.

Wanda will be laid to rest at Swan Lake Cemetery in Michigan City.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Geisen-Carlisle Funeral Home, 613 Washington St., Michigan City, IN.¹


She was buried at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens, Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana.

     Dennis Homer Bagwell was born on 12 June 1933 in South Carolina. He was the son of Lloyd Luther Bagwell and Gladys Louise Dillard.¹ Dennis Homer Bagwell lived in 2007 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. He died on 14 January 2007 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, at age 73.

     Roger D. Bagwell is the son of Dennis Homer Bagwell.