Betty Tanner Bagwell

Betty Tanner Bagwell, 79 Betty Tanner Bagwell, wife of Dr. Gerald Bagwell, went to be with the Lord peacefully on September 5, 2016. She was born on January 24, 1937, and was greatly loved by her family and friends. Betty met her husband Gerald at Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia, and became engaged to be married in her junior year. In June of 1955, Betty and Gerald graduated and Betty was named Miss Winder-Barrow High. The couple was married in September. Betty was a tireless, behind-the-scenes partner to Gerald during a lifetime of ministry that exceeded fifty years. She was known as a Prayer warrior, and one friend once commented: ""Having the pastor pray is one thing, but if you really want your prayers answered, you need to call Betty."" During their ministry, she wrote thousands of notes and made thousands of calls and visits. She once served as vice-president of the Florida Baptist Pastor""s Wives Conference. While they lived in Metro-Atlanta, in addition to fulfilling her responsibilities as a pastor""s wife and being a mother of three boys, Betty was a Medical Records Director over three hospitals. The couple came to Lakeland in 1976 and pastored First Baptist Church in Lakeland and later First Baptist Church in Mulberry. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Mary Tanner, her brother, Hank Tanner, and her sisters, Barbara Davis and Gail Nash. Betty is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, Dr. Gerald Bagwell of Lakeland; her three sons: Greg (Laura), Jeff (Colette), and Phil (Beth); four grandchildren: Britton, Ryan (Taylor), Lindsey, and Bryce; and one great-grandchild: Tanner. Also surviving are sisters Hedy Donaldson and Pam Tanner. Family will receive friends at 10:00 am, Friday September 9, 2016, at First Baptist Church at the Mall 1010 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801 with services at 11:00am. Service: 09/09/2016 First Baptist Church at the Mall Chapel 1010 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland, Fl. First Baptist Church at the Mall Chapel Visitation: 09/09/2016 First Baptist Church at the Mall Chapel