DR. BILLIE HUDSON BAGBY

Dr. Billie Hudson Bagby, 89, of Lohman, died Monday, May 25, 2009, at Capital Region Medical Center. She was born January 25, 1920, in Bexar, Arkansas, the daughter of Charles Thomas and Vollie May Stroud Hudson. She was valedictorian of the 1936 class of Aurora High School and went on to earn degrees from the University of Southwest Missouri, Emory University, and a Ph.D. from Colorado State University. She was united in marriage on October 17, 1943, in Aurora, Mo, to Dr. John R. Bagby, Jr., who survives at the home. In 1969, Billie was named Math and Science Teacher of the Year in Atlanta, Georgia. She had a long public school teaching career at all grade levels through 8th grade in Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia. She later oversaw student teachers at Colorado State University. She has been a member of Delta Kappa Gamma honorary society for educators since 1961. She also was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omicron Tau Theta. She was a devoted wife and mother, a licensed pilot, an enthusiastic traveler throughout Africa, South America, and Europe. She was happiest surrounded by family and friends and loved lively conversation and political debate. She is survived by her husband, Dr. John Bagby; daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Turner Whitson of Columbia, SC; two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Donna Bagby, Edmonds, WA; Tom and Pam Bagby, Russellville, AR. She had six grandchildren, Heather Whitson, Durham, NC; Caitlin Bagby, Little Rock, AR; Jillian and Colin Bagby, Russellville, AR; Troy Greenfield, Bainbridge Island, WA; and Brad Greenfield, Mukilteo, WA. She also had six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Ann Downs and Cecile Hudson Metcalf; and a brother, Clyde Hudson. A Celebration of Life Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Those wishing to email condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.