Person Page - 807

     Michael Williams Bagwell was born on 22 March 1951 in Bruce, Calhoun County, Mississippi. He was the son of Samuel Percy Bagwell and Hilda Maxine Williams. Michael Williams Bagwell married Helen C. Crawford after 1970. Michael Williams Bagwell married Amelia A. (?) after 1978. Michael Williams Bagwell lived in 1991 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He died on 22 February 2025 in Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama, at age 73


Until days before his passing on February 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, Michael Williams “Mike” Bagwell, though his body frail and tired, awoke each day with a big “thank you Lord for another day,” showing his spirit was full of grateful appreciation to be able to draw another determined breath every second he was graced on earth.
Mike was born March 22, 1951, in Bruce, Mississippi and resided in Mobile, AL. He is predeceased by his parents, Samuel P. Bagwell and Maxine Williams Bagwell of Philadelphia, MS; sister, Beth Upshaw Vollstedt, Vicksburg MS; brother, Sam L. Bagwell of Philadelphia MS and son, Dustin Reid Bagwell, Prairieville LA.
Mike is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 47 years, Midge Bagwell, sons, Michael Williams Bagwell, Jr. of Waveland, MS; Chris Bagwell (Jenny) of Owosso, MI; Blake Bagwell (Traci) of Daphne, AL; Brett Bagwell of Mobile, AL and Nathalie Bagwell, widow of son, Dustin Bagwell. One of Mike’s greatest joys was not only being a great father to his five sons, and being involved in their lives, but also being a Papa to grandchildren, Emma and Grace Bagwell, Baton Rouge, LA; Jillian Bagwell, Oxford, Mississippi; Ethan Bagwell (Londyn Brown) of Prairieville, LA; Sam Bagwell, of Grand Bay, AL; and Christopher Bagwell, Jr., Owosso, MI. He is also survived by his nephew, Shane (Susan) Upshaw of Vicksburg, MS; and niece, Kim Upshaw.
Mike graduated from Yazoo City High School, Yazoo City, MS in 1969 and was recruited by many universities for his athletic prowess and leadership on and off the football field and received many collegiate offers. However, Mike’s love for Ole Miss won out, and in 1969, he signed his letter of intent to play for the Ole Miss Rebels under Coach Johnny Vaught. He loved all things Ole Miss and was a lifetime member of the M Club and the Ole Miss Alumni Association. His loyalty to Ole Miss Football, athletics, academics and the university carried over to his children and grandchildren who enjoyed the Grove and attending games with him.
Mike was a lifetime railroader. With degree in hand, he started as a laborer with Illinois Central Gulf (CN). He was quickly recognized for his ability to lead and rose through the ranks. While a Supervisor with ICG in Mississippi, he was moved to Illinois and Kentucky overseeing more territory. In 1986 he was offered a job as General Manager of Mississippi Export Railroad, Moss Point, MS and was later promoted to Vice President-General Manager and President of MSE Services. He raised his family in the East Central Community, and became deeply involved in the community of Hurley, his children’s sports, coaching and sponsoring teams, his church and all of Jackson County where he served on the Board of Directors of organizations such as the United Way and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Moss Point Rotary Club, where he served as President and was elected Rotarian of the year and Paul Harris Fellow. In 1990, Mike was selected Outstanding Male Citizen of Jackson County and in 1993 was appointed to the Singing River Hospital Board. He served as a member, Vice President and from 1998 to 2001, as President of the Board of Singing River Hospital. In 2002, Mike was sought out for the purchase and success of railroads such as Wallowa Union Railroad in Oregon and Great Lakes Central Railroad in Michigan. After the completion of the purchase of Great Lakes Central Railroad, Mike stayed on to finish out his railroad career as President and CEO. After mentoring his son Chris for many years, he made the transition into retirement while leaving Chris to continue the Bagwell railroad legacy.
During retirement, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, and time with friends and family. A large portion of his weekends were spent at his happy place in Oxford Mississippi attending Ole Miss sports, most notably with his wife Midge by his side.
The family would like to offer sincere appreciation to Dr. Ian Lyn, cardiac surgeon, Dr. Mark Campbell, cardiologist, Drs. Brent Hardin and Andrew Gowdy, Urology, Nurse Practitioner, Lisa Clark, and the Intensive Care nurses and 5th floor Cardiac nurses at Baptist Hospital in Oxford, MS, who took such wonderful care of Mike, as well as Dr. Jack Winters and Dr. Ross Straughn at LCMC, New Orleans, LA and Dr. Kenneth Burnham, Mobile AL. Many thanks to so many of Mike’s classmates and friends from Holly Springs, Yazoo City and Oxford, for the many calls, prayers and visits, we love and appreciate you. To special friends, Amzi Sherling, Dustin and Valerie Matthews, Mary Ann and Bryan Harger, Jason and Shelly Ryals, South Coast Church and the South Coast Prayer Team a heartfelt thank you for your continued love and support, visits, meals, prayer vigils with the family and support of our family during this difficult season.
The family would further like to express their gratitude to SAAD’s hospice care team for their compassion and support during Mike's final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or South Coast Church, 9050 Jeff Hamilton Road, Mobile, AL.
A celebration of life for Mike will be held at the Serentiy Event Center, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL on Saturday, March 1, 2025, with a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and service to begin at 2:00 p.m.


He was buried at Serenity Memorial Gardens, Theodore, Mobile County, Alabama.

     Raymond Arbie Bagwell was born on 29 March 1912 in Lorraine, Mitchell County, Texas. He was the son of Arbie Ishom Bagwell and Eddie Everline Mooty. Raymond Arbie Bagwell married Lois Irene Smith on 14 May 1938 at Irion County, Texas. Raymond Arbie Bagwell died on 24 March 1986 in Runnels County, Texas, at age 73. He was buried at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Ballinger, Runnels County, Texas.

     Lois Irene Smith was born on 28 January 1914 in Texas. As of 14 May 1938,her married name was Bagwell. She married Raymond Arbie Bagwell, son of Arbie Ishom Bagwell and Eddie Everline Mooty, on 14 May 1938 at Irion County, Texas. Lois Irene Smith died on 2 June 1991 in Runnels County, Texas, at age 77. She was buried at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Ballinger, Runnels County, Texas.

     Benny Ray Bagwell was born on 21 January 1939 in Taylor County, Texas. He was the son of Raymond Arbie Bagwell and Lois Irene Smith. Benny Ray Bagwell died on 18 March 1939 in McCamey, Upton County, Texas. He was buried at Bradshaw Cemetery, Bradshaw, Taylor County, Texas.

     Grace Marie Bagwell was born on 4 January 1922 in Dimmitt, Castro County, Texas. She was the daughter of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood. As of 13 July 1951,her married name was Holland. Grace Marie Bagwell married Dudley Howard Holland on 13 July 1951 at Clovis, Curry County, New Mexico. Grace Marie Bagwell died on 1 February 1999 in Marble Falls, Burnet County, Texas, at age 77. She was buried at Fairland Cemetery, Marble Falls, Burnet County, Texas.

     Dudley Howard Holland was born on 4 December 1919 in Burnet County, Texas. He married Grace Marie Bagwell, daughter of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood, on 13 July 1951 at Clovis, Curry County, New Mexico. Dudley Howard Holland died on 1 February 2013 in Burnet County, Texas, at age 93.

     Jim Aubrey Bagwell was born on 3 May 1927 in Dimmitt, Castro County, Texas. He was the son of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood. Jim Aubrey Bagwell married Edwyna Byrl Pugh on 21 June 1947 at Deaf Smith County, Texas.¹ Jim Aubrey Bagwell died on 5 November 2020 in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, at age 93


Jim J.A. “Jim” Bagwell, 93, died Nov. 5, 2020, in Colorado Springs.

He was born May 3, 1927, near Dimmitt, Texas, to Jim and Robertha (Wood) Bagwell.

He spent his early school years at the Bethel Community school and then attended junior high and high school in Dimmitt where he played football during his senior year.

In 1944 the family moved to a ranch near Amistad, New Mexico.

He attended college at West Texas State College in Canyon, where he met Edwyna Pugh.

During college he rode a motorcycle and learned to fly small planes.

One of his favorite stories was about flying Edwyna to visit her parents and taking off in a strong wind storm.

The Bagwells were married on June 21, 1947, and were married 73 years.

While at Amistad, he farmed and ranched, taught school, and did custom combining in Texas and Oklahoma.

All three of the couple’s daughters were born in New Mexico.

In 1960 they moved to the San Luis Valley where Mr. Bagwell and his dad ranched.

He belonged to the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and served on the Salida Hospital Board.

He enjoyed hunting and took a week-long trip into the mountains each fall with his cousin Bob Williams and others to hunt elk.

For several years he was a member of the Saguache School Board. Twice, when the school needed a new school bus, the board sent him to Indiana to pick it up.

The family went with him by train and then came home in the school bus. Those were great adventures and some of our favorite family memories.

In 1970 they sold the ranch at Villa Grove, moved to Poncha Springs, Colorado, and bought a KOA Campground south of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Going from farming/ranching and working with cattle to running a campground and dealing with tourists was quite a change.

They made a very successful business of the campground, which they ran for 21 years.

He kept the campground open through hunting season and had great opportunities for more hunting stories.

The Bagwells made many friends during those years, in Jackson Hole and with campers who stayed there year after year.

After they sold the campground, they retired to Poncha Springs.

For several years, they spent summers in their RV back up at the campground in Wyoming, and they were also able to do a fair amount of traveling.

They took a high school reunion trip with Mr. Bagwell’s class from Dimmitt to Branson, Missouri, and he thoroughly enjoyed his old classmates again.

In 2016 Mr. and Mrs Bagwell moved to The Bridge assisted living facility in Colorado Springs.

Friends and family said he was a devoted family man and there was nothing more important to him than taking care of his family, not only his immediate family but his parents, brother and sisters, nieces and nephews, and Edwyna’s parents.

They said he was well-respected and well-loved, and he will be greatly missed by many.

Mr. Bagwell was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; sisters Christine Bell and Grace Marie Holland; and a grandson Brian Stillings.

Survivors include his daughters Mary Lynn (Glen) Stillings of Del Norte, Karen Bagwell (Mark Holdrege) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Barbara Bagwell of Colorado Springs; granddaughter Carol Stillings of Colorado Springs; brother Robert Bagwell of Hazlehurst, Mississippi; sister LaTrelle Bagwell of Marble Falls, Texas; nieces; nephews; and numerous cousins.

Burial will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 13, 2020 at the Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Dimmitt, Texas.


He was buried on 13 November 2020 at Castro Memorial Gardens, Dimmitt, Castro County, Texas.

     Edwyna Byrl Pugh was born on 11 July 1926 in Graham, Young County, Texas.¹ As of 21 June 1947,her married name was Bagwell. She married Jim Aubrey Bagwell, son of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood, on 21 June 1947 at Deaf Smith County, Texas.¹ Edwyna Byrl Pugh died on 22 August 2020 in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, at age 94


Edwyna Bagwell, 94, passed away August 22, 2020, in Colorado Springs, CO. She was born July 11, 1926, in Graham, Texas, to Alex and Winnie (Lisle) Pugh. She grew up in various Phillips Oil company towns in the Graham area. Her dad was later transferred to Sanford in the Texas Panhandle, and Edwyna graduated from high school at Phillips.

She received a Business Administration degree from West Texas State College in Canyon, where she met J.A. Bagwell. They eloped to Amarillo and were married 73 years. They farmed and ranched at Amistad, New Mexico, and Edwyna taught school there for a few years. All three of their daughters were born in New Mexico.

In 1960 they moved to the San Luis Valley in Colorado where J.A. and his dad ranched. Edwyna always said those years were some of the happiest of her life. In 1970 they sold the ranch at Villa Grove, moved to Poncha Springs, Colorado, and bought a KOA Campground south of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. They ran the campground seasonally for 21 years and made numerous life-long friends to add to the ones they already had.

After they sold the campground, they retired to Poncha Springs, where Edwyna was a member of the Salida Church of Christ. In 2006 J.A. and Edwyna, along with their daughters and granddaughter, visited Ireland to celebrate Edwyna’s 80th birthday. The trip was a highlight for the whole family, and J.A. and Edwyna talked about it often in the following years.

Edwyna was a smart, independent woman and also the ultimate nurturer. (She could drive a loaded grain truck with a baby and a 4-year-old on the seat beside her!) She grew up around a large extended family that she loved dearly and remained close to her entire life. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, a dedicated friend, wonderful cook, and a great hostess. The girls’ friends often said how comfortable and welcome they felt in the Bagwell home. She sewed clothes for herself and her family, making Western shirts for J.A. and mending dozens of pairs of Levis for him. She also had jobs outside the home at various times. When they ran the campground, she became a full partner in the business, keeping the books and performing many other tasks around the campground, along with making three meals a day for family and employees. Despite all the hard work over the years, she was a fun person who loved to laugh. Family get-togethers always turned to telling funny family stories.

In 2016 she and J.A. moved to The Bridge assisted living facility in Colorado Springs. She was happy to be close to her youngest daughter, Barbara, as well as her granddaughter, Carol. She made several good friends and loved playing Bingo with them.

Edwyna is survived by her husband J.A. of Colorado Springs; daughters Mary Lynn (Glen) Stillings of Del Norte, Colorado, Karen Bagwell (Mark Holdrege) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Barbara Bagwell of Colorado Springs; granddaughter Carol Stillings of Colorado Springs; brother-in-law Robert Bagwell of Hazlehurst, Mississippi; sister-in-law LaTrelle Bagwell of Marble Falls, Texas; first cousins Glen Lisle Jr., Janice Keeth, George F. Lisle, and Sandra White; and nieces, nephews, and numerous distant cousins.

Edwyna was predeceased by her parents, her sister Hallie Wanda Williams, and her grandson Brian Stillings.

She will be missed by many, and we wait with hope for our reunion with her in Heaven.

There will be no service at this time. Colonial Funeral Home in Dimmitt, Texas, is handling arrangements, and burial will be in Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Dimmitt.

Cards may be sent to J.A, c/o Carol Stillings, 5606 Oro Grande Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918, and memorial contributions may be made to the Gooseneck Cemetery in Graham, Texas, or Feeding America.

Gooseneck Cemetery Association
P.O. Box 403
Newcastle, TX 76372

Feeding America.¹


She was buried at Castro Memorial Gardens, Dimmitt, Castro County, Texas.¹

     Mary Lynn Bagwell is the daughter of Jim Aubrey Bagwell and Edwyna Byrl Pugh.¹ Mary Lynn Bagwell married Glen Stillings after 1965.¹

     Glen Stillings married Mary Lynn Bagwell, daughter of Jim Aubrey Bagwell and Edwyna Byrl Pugh, after 1965.¹

     Karen Bagwell is the daughter of Jim Aubrey Bagwell and Edwyna Byrl Pugh.¹ Karen Bagwell married Mark Holdrege after 1965.¹

     Mark Holdrege married Karen Bagwell, daughter of Jim Aubrey Bagwell and Edwyna Byrl Pugh, after 1965.¹

     Barbara Bagwell is the daughter of Jim Aubrey Bagwell and Edwyna Byrl Pugh.¹

     Robert Elmo Bagwell was born on 12 October 1931 in Castro County, Texas. He was the son of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood. Robert Elmo Bagwell married Billye Faye Wade on 10 March 1956 at Arizona. Robert Elmo Bagwell lived in 2020 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He died on 30 May 2021 at age 89


Robert Elmo Bagwell, 89, of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, died May 30, 2021, in Jackson,
Mississippi. He was born October 12, 1931, near Dimmitt, Texas, to Jim and
Robertha (Wood) Bagwell. He attended his early school years in the Bethel Community
School until the family moved to a farm and ranch near Amistad, New Mexico, in 1944.
There he attended grades eight through ten, then graduated from Clayton High School
in Clayton, New Mexico, in 1949. He went on to attend New Mexico A&M in Las Cruces,
New Mexico, where he participated in the ROTC program.

While in college, Robert spent one summer in India, having been selected to go by the
International Farm Youth Exchange program (IFYE). He and the other young men who
had been chosen all returned to the U.S. on the Queen Mary. The entire experience
was an eye-opening event for a farm boy! He enjoyed sharing those experiences with
the family through the years, and always appreciated having been given that
opportunity. Another summer he spent several weeks on a range management tour as
part of a college course requirement, visiting ranches all over New Mexico. At that time,
he expected to spend his life as a farmer and rancher.

Robert (his college friends soon called him Bob) joined the Air Force after college. His
last year of service was spent in Korea during the Korean War, in charge of a radio unit.
He shared some harrowing stories of their experiences in the mountains of Korea with
the snow and extreme cold temperatures. At the end of his tour, as he was heading
back to the U.S. to be discharged, he went to Japan where he purchased yardage of
beautiful silk fabrics to take home for his mother and his three sisters.

After his discharge, he drove to Mississippi on the way back to NM, to visit his best
friend from college who was living there. While there, he was introduced to a girl named
Billye Faye Wade.

Falling in love with Billye Faye, Robert moved to Mississippi, where he and his love
were married in 1956. The marriage produced two wonderful children, Michael and
Donna, and two beautiful grandchildren, Riley and Kyla.

For several years, he worked as a carpenter and because of his exceptional skills and
leadership ability, he was hired as the superintendent for Jones and Thompson
Construction Company in Jackson. He loved working with beautiful woods, and began
making cabinets on weekends.

As a boy, he always loved to create things with his hands. He continued that interest as
he created a variety of beautiful things to share with his family. He learned to turn bowls,
and made them from a variety of exotic woods. He was a member of the Craftsman’s
Guild of Jackson.

He enjoyed doing for others, especially if it involved his creativity. And the most
important thing in his life was family. Parents, siblings, nephews and nieces, along with
aunts, uncles and cousins, always came first.

A graveside service was held at the Center Point Methodist Church Cemetery at 10:00
a.m. on June 4, 2021, conducted by Rev. Stuart Givens, minister of the Sylvarena
Baptist Church in Wesson. An American flag was presented to the family and taps were
played by an Air Force Honor Guard.

Robert is survived by his son Mike Bagwell of Hazlehurst, Mississippi; daughter
Donna Smith, granddaughters Riley and Kyla Smith of Wesson, Mississippi; sister
LaTrelle Bagwell of Marble Falls, Texas; nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was
predeceased by his wife Billye Faye, his parents, sisters Christine Bell and
Grace Marie Holland, brothers-in-law Ray McEntire, Orlan Bell and Dudley Holland,
brother J.A. Bagwell, sister-in law, Edywna Bagwell, sister-in-law Janice Dalton, and
nephew Brian Stillings.


He was buried at Center Point Cemetery, Glancy, Copiah County, Mississippi.

     Billye Faye Wade was born on 20 January 1934. As of 10 March 1956,her married name was Bagwell. She married Robert Elmo Bagwell, son of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood, on 10 March 1956 at Arizona. Billye Faye Wade died on 16 May 2000 at age 66. She was buried on 19 May 2000 at Center Point Cemetery, Glancy, Copiah County, Mississippi.

     John Michael Bagwell was born on 11 May 1958 in Mississippi. He was the son of Robert Elmo Bagwell and Billye Faye Wade. John Michael Bagwell lived in 2021 in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. He died on 6 November 2024 in Jackson, Mississippi, at age 66


John Michael Bagwell, "Mike", 66, of Brookhaven, Mississippi, died Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Select Specialty Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.
Mike was a member of Center Point Methodist Church. He lived and worked in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Albuquerque, New Mexico for much of his life before coming home to help care for his parents. He loved anything to do with Native American life and the western United States. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend who loved his family very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Elmo Bagwell and Billye Faye Wade Bagwell. He is survived by his sister, Donna Bagwell Smith of Wesson, MS; and nieces, Riley Smith and Kyla Smith of Wesson, MS.
There will be no funeral services. Per his wishes, his ashes will be strewn in one of the places in the West that he loved.


He was cremated.

     Donna Faye Bagwell is the daughter of Robert Elmo Bagwell and Billye Faye Wade. Donna Faye Bagwell married (?) Smith after 1972.

     (?) Smith married Donna Faye Bagwell, daughter of Robert Elmo Bagwell and Billye Faye Wade, after 1972.

     Kay La Trelle Bagwell is the daughter of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood.

     Myrtle Christine Bagwell was born on 5 October 1918 in Castro County, Texas. She was the daughter of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood. As of after 1925,her married name was Bell. Myrtle Christine Bagwell married Lawrence Orlan Bell after 1925. Myrtle Christine Bagwell died on 3 February 2006 at age 87. She was buried at Ochiltree Cemetery, Perryton, Ochiltree County, Texas.

     Lawrence Orlan Bell was born on 19 December 1907 in Beaver County, Oklahoma. He married Myrtle Christine Bagwell, daughter of James E. Bagwell and Ola Robertha Wood, after 1925. Lawrence Orlan Bell died on 18 October 2000 in Perryton, Ochiltree County, Texas, at age 92. He was buried at Ochiltree Cemetery, Perryton, Ochiltree County, Texas.

     Vivian Marie Bagwell was born on 4 June 1939. She was the daughter of Abner Coleman Bagwell and Wilhelmina Strohm. As of after 1957,her married name was Schermer. Vivian Marie Bagwell married (?) Schermer after 1957. Vivian Marie Bagwell died in June 1982.

     Charles Melton Bagwell is the son of Abner Coleman Bagwell and Wilhelmina Strohm. Charles Melton Bagwell married Iris Aurelia Huffman on 26 July 1964 at Europa, Mississippi.

     William Lee Bagwell is the son of Abner Coleman Bagwell and Wilhelmina Strohm.

     Sarah Charlene Bagwell is the daughter of Abner Coleman Bagwell and Wilhelmina Strohm. Sarah Charlene Bagwell married Jerry Michael Graham after 1958.

     Nanette Bagwell is the daughter of Abner Coleman Bagwell and Wilhelmina Strohm. Nanette Bagwell married (?) Fancher before 1983.

     Jerry Michael Graham married Sarah Charlene Bagwell, daughter of Abner Coleman Bagwell and Wilhelmina Strohm, after 1958.

     (?) Schermer married Vivian Marie Bagwell, daughter of Abner Coleman Bagwell and Wilhelmina Strohm, after 1957.

     (?) Fancher married Nanette Bagwell, daughter of Abner Coleman Bagwell and Wilhelmina Strohm, before 1983.

     Coleman Bagwell is the son of Billy Troy Bagwell and Sandra Ates. Coleman Bagwell married Carla Griffin circa 1984. Coleman Bagwell married Sue Ellen (?) before 2022.