Billie Bagwell

BAGWELL, Billie age 85 of Maryville formerly of Whitehaven in Memphis passed away Friday, December 12, 2003 at her home. Mrs. Bagwell was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Bagwell, in 1975. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Totsie and Jack Patterson of Maryville, a son, John J. Bagwell Jr. of Bowie, Maryland and a son and daughter-in- law, Ralph W. Bagwell and Capt. Dale Meanley Lozier of Memphis. She is survived by 5 grandchildren, Kris Corbett of Alexandria, VA, Joe Bagwell of Edgewater, Maryland, Alywn Staley of Knoxville, Dana Bagwell of Seattle, WA, and Betsy Bagwell Wilson of Knoxville as well as 12 great grandchildren and numerous cousins. Mrs. Bagwell was a long time member of Whitehaven Baptist Church and was well known in Memphis, Knoxville, and statewide garden club circles. She was for years a member of the Whitehaven Iris Garden Club. She was particularly well known as a flower show judge and arranger at the Goldsmith Garden Center, Mid-South Fair in Memphis and Tennessee Valley Agricultural and Industrial Fair in Knoxville. For the past 25 years Mrs. Bagwell passionately practiced and taught the Japanese art of Ikebana flower arranging. She largely worked in the rikka style (standing flowers). Her art strived to present heaven, earth and humanity. It can be traced back to 6th Century Japan and was learned under the Ichiyo or “one leaf” school. Ichiyo works to create arrangements suitable for modern lifestyles and environments. Mrs. Bagwell was considered quite talented in Ikebana. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday at McCammon-Ammons-Click Chapel with Rev. Eldon Moore officiating. The interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends 1:00-2:00 PM Tuesday at McCammon-Ammons-Click Chapel.