Cover photo for Bryan Baggett's Obituary
Bryan Baggett Profile Photo

Bryan Baggett

d. August 23, 2014

Bryan Baggett

If you are reading this, Kay Baggett taught you something. If nothing else, you learned that she departed this Earth Saturday August 23, 2014 just before supper. It was hot. There was little breeze. The mosquitos and deer flies were out in force. The greens and browns of the the Davis Bayou marsh were lush with color and smells and sounds. Horn Island was still moving westward, slowly but surely. By the day she died, there were hundreds and hundreds of people who passed through her life that knew how and why all of those things worked. 67 years on this planet, of which she spent 27 teaching and shaping young minds in Ocean Springs was long enough for Kay to build not only a loving family and adoring community, but also a legacy of knowledge, experience and love. The day she left Greenwood, MS to study education at Mississippi State University among her sisters of Phi Mu, she probably never considered the fact that one day five kids from five different countries would be having a diving contest in her backyard pool on a hot summer day in 1989. When she first saw a kid kicking a black and white ball around, she likely did not think that one day she would be the first person to start a youth soccer league like the Ocean Springs Soccer Organization in her new hometown. When she opened a book under the shade of the oak trees at Allen Hall, she probably didn't think that one day she would be putting in so much time protecting and preserving them in downtown Ocean Springs on a public committee. Kay Baggett's future came quickly. Her children: Gregory D. Baggett (Candice), David B. Baggett (Jennifer), Malcolm M. Baggett (Teresa) and Adelle Register (David) called the end of Eagle Nest Road home until they all went on to begin families of their own which they accomplished in grand fashion. Kay's grandchildren Janey, Kealan, William, Harper, Kaytelin, Delaney, Madelyn, Ryleigh and Bishop all have fond and loving memories of their Mimi. Her brother William D. Bryan Jr. (Sharon) lives on with her memory as well. Her husband, Gregory D. Baggett Sr., beat her to the boat a few years ago. Her father and mother, William D. Bryan and Marjorie Y. Bryan are waiting to welcome her as well. Kay Baggett's understanding, empathy and generosity came quickly as well. As many young minds she shaped with knowledge, she also affected with her nurturing ways. There was a meal every night at her home - a big one - and if you were hungry, you could grab a plate. There were beds upstairs - plenty of beds - and if you needed one, you just had to change the sheets. There was a voice in the stands at the ball game - a loud one - and if you needed one to cheer for you and call your name when no one else would, they could hear it across the bridge. There was a lecture - a stern one - if you needed to hear it from someone you trusted more than your annoying parents, and it set you straight. And, there was a smile - an incredible one - that if all you needed was to see it to get you through just one minute of one more hour of one more day, it was there with glorious love and affection, because she could see deep down past all that into the best part of you, no matter what. She may have taught that the sun was the center of our solar system, but to so many she was the very center of the universe. That universe must continue to be. There are flower beds to be tended to. There are jars of strange things in formaldehyde and aquariums full of new creatures to stare at. There are high school football teams who need meatloaf and mashed potatoes before the game. There are rope swings to be hung, bugs to be identified, spine-worn Issac Assimov paperbacks to be picked up and finished when you can, sunsets to be admired and sunrises to be chased. There are children to be taught and hugged and smiled upon and cheered for and loved. Kay Baggett taught you - in one way or another - about some part of it all. Somewhere, on a calm day with just enough breeze, she sits on the fantail of the boat and there are two lines in the water now. Vivaldi himself conducts the orchestra that plays while she and Big Greg take in the sunset before kickoff. Celebrate Kay Baggett's life and legacy with a memorial service at 6 pm Thursday August 28, 2014 at Belle Fountain Baptist Church in Ocean Springs. Public viewing begins at 5 pm and family will call between 4:30 pm and 5. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Ocean Springs Education Foundation PO Box 1983, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, August 28, 2014

5:00 - 6:00 pm

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home - Gulfport

59 Wayside Rd, Stuart, VA 24171

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Memorial Service

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Starts at 6:00 pm

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home - Gulfport

59 Wayside Rd, Stuart, VA 24171

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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