Person Page - 653

     Dr. Russell Johnson Mercer was born on 17 May 1922. He married Ramona Bagwell, daughter of Thomas Stanhope Bagwell and Grace Naomi Spivey, on 25 December 1952. Dr. Russell Johnson Mercer died on 22 April 2012 at age 89
METTER -- Dr. Russell Johnson Mercer, 84, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 12th, 2012. As a native of Metter, Ga., he held a lifelong legacy and impact on the state of Georgia. He devoted his life to ensuring that "Everything is Better in Metter" and was proud to have been raised on the Canoochee River.
As a well-known farmer's son, Mercer graduated from Metter High School in 1943 and at age 17 he enlisted as an infantry soldier in the U.S. Army's European Theater in World War II. His platoons were some of the first to liberate the Nazi concentration camps and later he served as a guard in the Nuremburg Trials. An elite honor he cherished was being invited to dinner by the King of Denmark and as well as a special recognition for his bravery in the war.
Upon returning to the states, he earned his Bachelor's degree at Georgia Southern College in 1950 and his Master's degree from Appalachian State in 1955, where he met his wife, Ramona Bagwell of Asheville, N.C. They married on Christmas Day in 1952. Later, he achieved his LL.B. and J.D. in Law from Atlanta Law School and John Marshall University, respectively.
From farmer to politician, he aimed to combat negative policy-making as he served as Georgia state senator of the 49th district. He held other prestigious titles such as national board chairman and the first state president of the Future Business Leaders of America/Phi Beta Lambda Student Organization, chairman of the Candler County Commissioners, Junior Chamber of Commerce president, district commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, national chairman of the Committee of Nine, president of the Georgia Huguenot Society and too many others to name. He was the Citizen of the Year for Candler County in 1989. As chairman of the commissioners of Candler County, he led the way for Candler County projects, including the construction of the National Guard Armory, collaborated with Isabelle Sawyer on the L.C. Anderson Library, the community and recreational parks in Metter, as well as many road pavings and more.
As a retired educator, he devoted his life to bettering the education of the present and the future. He began his career as a business teacher, later served as a principal and headmaster, liaison between the national government and education at the U.S. Capitol and was the supervisor of Business & Education at the Georgia State Department of Education. He served as a visiting professor to Georgia State University and University of Colorado. The policies that he implemented and supported at the state level molded the foundation and have shaped the future of education in the state of Georgia. He was also a bank vice president, real estate broker, 4-H and Boy Scout mentor, farmer, church deacon and Sunday School instructor for over 50 years.
More than his professional career is the legacy he left to his family and friends. He is remembered best for how he cared for his wife, who has survived two cancers. The example of complete giving he has set will be carried on for generations.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ramona Mercer; daughters, Julia Dawn Mercer and Janie (Cleveland) Slater; sons, Major Charles (Helen) Mercer and Seaborn Dan (Dr. Alicia) Mercer; and seven grandchildren, Russell (Karen) Vandiver, 2nd Lt. Stephen Mercer, Ramona Evans, Seaborn and Jack Mercer, Carolina & Joseph Slater; and one great-granddaughter, Ivy Vandiver. He is also survived by one sister, Laura Crockett, as well as many beloved extended family members.
Everyone is invited to join in remembrance and celebration of the life of Dr. Russell J. Mercer Sunday, April 15th, at 4 p.m. at the Hamstra Worship Center at Guido Gardens, 600 North Lewis Street, Metter, GA 30349. The burial will be in the Primitive Grove Church Cemetery following the service.
Visitation will be Saturday evening from 5-8 p.m. at the Kennedy-Morgan-Brannen Funeral Homes, Metter Chapel. www.kennedymorganbrannen.com.
The family requests remembrances be made to Guido Evangelistic Association, 600 North Lewis Street, Metter, GA 30459.
He was buried at Primitive Grove Cemetery, Metter, Candler County, Georgia.

     (?) Tetlow married Tempest Louise Bagwell, daughter of John Littleton Bagwell and Ellen L. Garren, after 1927.

     Sara Emma Rickman was born on 5 November 1900 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. As of 2 October 1920,her married name was Bagwell. She married Fred Martin Bagwell, son of John Littleton Bagwell and Jessie Alice Pryor, on 2 October 1920 at Henderson County, North Carolina. Sara Emma Rickman died on 2 December 1983 in Manatee County, Florida, at age 83. She was buried at Calvary Eposcopal Church Cemetery, Fletcher, Henderson County, North Carolina.

     Infant Son Bagwell died on 10 January 1926 in Hoopers Creek, Henderson County, North Carolina. He was born on 10 January 1926 in Hoopers Creek, Henderson County, North Carolina. He was the son of Walter Fate Bagwell and Lessie Mildred Middleton. Infant Son Bagwell was buried at Hoopers Creek Baptis Church Cemetery, Fletcher, Henderson County, North Carolina.

     Charles Wise Jr. was born on 7 June 1905. He married Effie Jay Bagwell, daughter of John Littleton Bagwell and Jessie Alice Pryor, after 1920. Charles Wise Jr. died on 17 January 1981 in Arlington County, Virginia, at age 75. He was buried at National Memorial Park, Fairfax County, Virginia.

     Infant Bagwell died on 19 October 1922 in Stewart County, Tennessee.¹ He was born on 19 October 1922 in Stewart County, Tennessee.¹ He was the son of Earl Bagwell. Infant Bagwell was buried at Bagwell Cemetery, Indian Mound, Stewart County, Tennessee.¹

     Noel Reese Bagwell II is the son of Noel Reese Bagwell and Henrietta Smith.

     Noel Reese Bagwell III is the son of Noel Reese Bagwell II.

     Henrietta Smith married Noel Reese Bagwell, son of Ernest Richard Bagwell and Emma J. Cherry, before 1955.

     Oran Radford Day was born on 12 May 1887. He married Ella E. Bagwell, daughter of Calvin Lynch Bagwell and Margaret Melissa Lesley, in 1908. Oran Radford Day died on 19 September 1960 at age 73. He was buried at Day Family Cemetery, Easley, Pickens County, South Carolina.

     James Manley Hayes was born on 29 August 1881. He married Aurie Suzanne Bagwell, daughter of Calvin Lynch Bagwell and Margaret Melissa Lesley, before 1907. James Manley Hayes died on 27 January 1954 at age 72. He was buried at Griffin Baptist Church Cemetery, Pickens, Pickens County, South Carolina.

     Ellie Jane Carver was born on 7 March 1900 in Madison County, North Carolina. As of after 1915,her married name was Bagwell. She married James Marcus Bagwell, son of Calvin Lynch Bagwell and Margaret Melissa Lesley, after 1915. Ellie Jane Carver died on 5 April 1953 in Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina, at age 53. She was buried at Graceland West Cemetery and Mausoleum, Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina.

     Pearl Barnes was also known as Pearl Hatcher. She was born in 1890 in Pickens County, South Carolina. As of before 1940,her married name was Bagwell. She married William Robert Bagwell, son of Calvin Lynch Bagwell and Margaret Melissa Lesley, before 1940. Pearl Barnes died on 21 December 1952 in Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina. She was buried at Griffin Baptist Church Cemetery, Pickens, Pickens County, South Carolina.

     Allen LeRoy Cochran married Earnestine Bagwell, daughter of William Robert Bagwell and Mattie Laura Lawson, on 24 August 1940 at Victoria, Virginia.

     Ollie G. Holder was born on 6 March 1904. As of before 1930,her married name was Bagwell. She married Jay D. Bagwell, son of William Robert Bagwell and Mattie Laura Lawson, before 1930. Ollie G. Holder died on 18 May 1971 at age 67. She was buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Easley, Pickens County, South Carolina.

     Dara' Brooke Bagwell is the daughter of Leslie Dirk Bagwell and Kelli Croft.

     Margaret (?) married Raymond D. Bagwell, son of Forrest Buren Bagwell and Nellie Mae Hayes, after 1955.

     Wanda Bagwell is the daughter of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Kay Bagwell is the daughter of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Vickie Bagwell is the daughter of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Pam Bagwell is the daughter of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Susie Bagwell is the daughter of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Faye Bagwell is the daughter of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     David Todd Bagwell is the son of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Wesley Bagwell is the son of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Bobby Bagwell is the son of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Robin Bagwell is the son of Raymond D. Bagwell and Margaret (?)

     Nathan Benton Boyce is the son of Edward Derrick Boyce and Regina Faith Bagwell.¹

     Lois Estelle Taylor was born on 5 October 1913 in Hodges, South Carolina. She married Clifton Arnold Bagwell, son of Jefferson Arnold Bagwell and Annie Bell Smith, on 15 May 1948 at Greenwood County, South Carolina. Lois Estelle Taylor died on 12 March 1998 at age 84. As of 12 March 1998,her married name was Bagwell. She was buried at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Greenwood, Greenwood County, South Carolina.

     Mildred Bagwell is the daughter of Clifton Arnold Bagwell and Lois Estelle Taylor.