Michael Williams Bagwell

Until days before his passing on February 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, Michael Williams “Mike” Bagwell, though his body frail and tired, awoke each day with a big “thank you Lord for another day,” showing his spirit was full of grateful appreciation to be able to draw another determined breath every second he was graced on earth. Mike was born March 22, 1951, in Bruce, Mississippi and resided in Mobile, AL. He is predeceased by his parents, Samuel P. Bagwell and Maxine Williams Bagwell of Philadelphia, MS; sister, Beth Upshaw Vollstedt, Vicksburg MS; brother, Sam L. Bagwell of Philadelphia MS and son, Dustin Reid Bagwell, Prairieville LA. Mike is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 47 years, Midge Bagwell, sons, Michael Williams Bagwell, Jr. of Waveland, MS; Chris Bagwell (Jenny) of Owosso, MI; Blake Bagwell (Traci) of Daphne, AL; Brett Bagwell of Mobile, AL and Nathalie Bagwell, widow of son, Dustin Bagwell. One of Mike’s greatest joys was not only being a great father to his five sons, and being involved in their lives, but also being a Papa to grandchildren, Emma and Grace Bagwell, Baton Rouge, LA; Jillian Bagwell, Oxford, Mississippi; Ethan Bagwell (Londyn Brown) of Prairieville, LA; Sam Bagwell, of Grand Bay, AL; and Christopher Bagwell, Jr., Owosso, MI. He is also survived by his nephew, Shane (Susan) Upshaw of Vicksburg, MS; and niece, Kim Upshaw. Mike graduated from Yazoo City High School, Yazoo City, MS in 1969 and was recruited by many universities for his athletic prowess and leadership on and off the football field and received many collegiate offers. However, Mike’s love for Ole Miss won out, and in 1969, he signed his letter of intent to play for the Ole Miss Rebels under Coach Johnny Vaught. He loved all things Ole Miss and was a lifetime member of the M Club and the Ole Miss Alumni Association. His loyalty to Ole Miss Football, athletics, academics and the university carried over to his children and grandchildren who enjoyed the Grove and attending games with him. Mike was a lifetime railroader. With degree in hand, he started as a laborer with Illinois Central Gulf (CN). He was quickly recognized for his ability to lead and rose through the ranks. While a Supervisor with ICG in Mississippi, he was moved to Illinois and Kentucky overseeing more territory. In 1986 he was offered a job as General Manager of Mississippi Export Railroad, Moss Point, MS and was later promoted to Vice President-General Manager and President of MSE Services. He raised his family in the East Central Community, and became deeply involved in the community of Hurley, his children’s sports, coaching and sponsoring teams, his church and all of Jackson County where he served on the Board of Directors of organizations such as the United Way and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Moss Point Rotary Club, where he served as President and was elected Rotarian of the year and Paul Harris Fellow. In 1990, Mike was selected Outstanding Male Citizen of Jackson County and in 1993 was appointed to the Singing River Hospital Board. He served as a member, Vice President and from 1998 to 2001, as President of the Board of Singing River Hospital. In 2002, Mike was sought out for the purchase and success of railroads such as Wallowa Union Railroad in Oregon and Great Lakes Central Railroad in Michigan. After the completion of the purchase of Great Lakes Central Railroad, Mike stayed on to finish out his railroad career as President and CEO. After mentoring his son Chris for many years, he made the transition into retirement while leaving Chris to continue the Bagwell railroad legacy. During retirement, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, and time with friends and family. A large portion of his weekends were spent at his happy place in Oxford Mississippi attending Ole Miss sports, most notably with his wife Midge by his side. The family would like to offer sincere appreciation to Dr. Ian Lyn, cardiac surgeon, Dr. Mark Campbell, cardiologist, Drs. Brent Hardin and Andrew Gowdy, Urology, Nurse Practitioner, Lisa Clark, and the Intensive Care nurses and 5th floor Cardiac nurses at Baptist Hospital in Oxford, MS, who took such wonderful care of Mike, as well as Dr. Jack Winters and Dr. Ross Straughn at LCMC, New Orleans, LA and Dr. Kenneth Burnham, Mobile AL. Many thanks to so many of Mike’s classmates and friends from Holly Springs, Yazoo City and Oxford, for the many calls, prayers and visits, we love and appreciate you. To special friends, Amzi Sherling, Dustin and Valerie Matthews, Mary Ann and Bryan Harger, Jason and Shelly Ryals, South Coast Church and the South Coast Prayer Team a heartfelt thank you for your continued love and support, visits, meals, prayer vigils with the family and support of our family during this difficult season. The family would further like to express their gratitude to SAAD’s hospice care team for their compassion and support during Mike's final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or South Coast Church, 9050 Jeff Hamilton Road, Mobile, AL. A celebration of life for Mike will be held at the Serentiy Event Center, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL on Saturday, March 1, 2025, with a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and service to begin at 2:00 p.m.

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Michael Williams Bagwell

March 22, 1951 - February 22, 2025