"To know June Baggett was to love June Baggett.”
This statement — along with numerous accounts of charm, dignity, poise and grace — came as Baggett’s life was celebrated Sept. 18 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, where she was a member for 48 years.
Baggett, wife of the late Hudson Baggett, died Sept. 16 at age 80. Hudson Baggett, a pastor and professor of religion, served as editor of The Alabama Baptist for 28 years. The Baggetts’ oldest son, Mark, worked with The Alabama Baptist from the mid-1980s until 1995, finishing out his tenure as managing editor.
“I’ve known June Baggett for over 40 years, and I never knew one person who knew her who didn’t love her,” said Charles T. Carter, pastor emeritus of Shades Mountain Baptist. “She was a godly woman … who reflected love to us. She loved her Lord. She loved her family. She loved her church. She loved the Bible.”
And “she was always encouraging,” said Danny Wood, pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist. “She was a committed student and teacher of God’s Word,” and she lived a full life filled with joy.
She modeled joy and love for others to the Sunday School class she led for almost 20 years, friends and family members contend, adding she loved life and laughed a lot.
Dale Baggett, her second son, said, “Mother taught me to respect everybody. She mirrored that for me, and she proved it every day.”
Her brother-in-law Bill Baggett said, “June perfected the art of family and loving. If there is a blueprint for a family, this is it.”
While Baggett’s circle of friends undoubtedly grew while she served as first lady of The Alabama Baptist newspaper, she did not slow down after her husband’s death in 1994. Baggett was well known for her active involvement in Samford University activities, particularly the Samford University Auxiliary. She served three terms as president of the auxiliary in three different decades.
“June was a leader but she was also willing to follow,” said Elouise Williams, a leader in the auxiliary. “She was good at taking any job and giving her best to it.”
Baggett was to receive the 2007–2008 Lolla Wurtele Wright Award in October. This award is given to the Samford Auxiliary member who demonstrates Wright’s spirit of service and support to the university. The auxiliary officers presented the award to Baggett by her bedside Sept. 13.
Baggett was a graduate of Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham and W.O. Carver School of Missions in Louisville, Ky. Through the years, she served on various committees in Alabama Baptist and Southern Baptist life. She was also active in Woman’s Missionary Union and was a member of the Antiquarian Society.
Baggett is survived by her three sons (Mark, Dale and Tim), their wives and six grandchildren.
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