William Edward Bagents

Mr. William Edward "Ed" Bagents, 93, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, January 13th, 2023. Funeral services for Ed will be held at 2 PM on Monday, January 16th, at Luverne Church of Christ with Brother Bill Bagents officiating. Interment will follow in Rutledge Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 1 - 2 PM.

Ed's great loves were God, his family, his farm, and his country, in that order. He and his brother, Hugh, founded Bagents Farms in 1946 and it proudly exists to this day. He then shipped off to Germany for two years to proudly serve his country with the United States Army Fourth Engineering Corps, Company A, to assist with peacekeeping duties in a country now divided by the Cold War. Following his discharge, he finally convinced the apple of his eye, Martha Sue Sanders, to marry him and together they raised a large and boisterous family full of love and laughter. He was also an active member of his community, even serving on the county school board for several years. Ed never forgot the lessons he learned in the Army, however, as he expected decorum and respect from everyone, and if you weren't at least 15 minutes early, you were late!

Ed was a hard-working, dedicated farmer throughout his life. There were few things he enjoyed more than working the land and showing his appreciation for all the Lord had blessed him with. He was a longtime faithful member of the Church of Christ and truly cherished his church family. He was a simple man with simple tastes. He never required much free time or entertainment; all he needed in life was his farm, his family, and his Lord. Ed made sure to never forget to immerse himself in the word of the Lord by reading his Bible everyday. He was also an open and honest man with everyone he knew. You could count on always knowing where you stood with him, and it was usually done with a good sense of humor. Ultimately, Ed was the beloved patriarch of his family who served as the foundation for multiple generations. Words cannot express how much he will be missed by all those who knew and loved him, but they know he is now rejoicing in the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ed was preceded in death by his grandchildren, Allen Bagents, Daniel Bush, and Jamie Finlayson; parents, James Rex & Sara Cameron Bagents; and brother, Hugh Bagents. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Martha Sue Sanders Bagents; their children, Bill (Laura Lynn) Bagents, Ricky (Terri Lynn) Bagents, Mike (Lora Gail) Bagents, Tim (Terry) Bagents, Melanie (Billy) Bush, and Randy (Lisa) Bagents; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Joe (Cheryl) Bagents; and several nieces & nephews.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the women who have given so much of themselves in helping in to take such excellent care of Ed in his last years, as well SouthernCare Hospice of Greenville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be to the Overton Memorial Library at Heritage Christian University or Childhaven Children's Home.