George Eddie Baggett

Dr. George Eddie Baggett, was born in Jackson, Mississippi on May 17, 1928 and died from Congenital Heart Failure. He is survived by one daughter, Rosemary B. Wilson (Springdale, Ark.); and one son, Bob and wife, Melina Baggett (Sulphur, La). He is also survived by three grandsons, Michael (and wife Jamie in Olathe, Kan.) and Matt Wilson (and wife Andrea Jo in Rogers, Ark.) and Doug Baggett (and wife Kristin in Lake Charles, La). He is survived by two granddaughters, Kelly Petross (and husband Chad in Sulphur, La.) and Christy Heddins (and husband Caleb in Guam). Dr. Baggett had 10 great-grandchildren, four girls & seven boys. He was preceded by his wife of 63 years, Jeannette, his brother Richard, his father Elmer and his mother Rosa Nelle. Dr. Baggett graduated from Harding College in 1950, received his Masters in 1951 from UMKC, and his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1974. He worked at Harding University for 40 years and was the Chorale Director, Band Director, and teacher in the Music Department. He conducted many singing schools and Vacation Bible Schools. He served as Secretary and President of the Arkansas Music Educators Association, was a member of the College Band Directors National Association, and Charter Director of the Searcy Community Summer Band. Dr. Baggett was a Charter member of the Optimist Club and served in many roles including Secretary Treasurer, Lt. Governor and President, with more than 40 years of perfect attendance at Optimist Club meetings. He was a founding member of Westside Church of Christ and served as an elder. Eddie and Jeannette loved to travel and some of the places they visited were The Holy Lands, Italy, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and many places in the continental United States. Visitation and the Funeral Service will both be at the West Side church of Christ in Searcy, Ark. Visitation will be at 9am and the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. with interment afterwards at the White County Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be sent to the E.B. and G.E. Baggett Music Scholarship Fund at Harding University. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.