Benjamin “Ben” Lanier Bagwell

Benjamin “Ben” Lanier Bagwell, 55, passed away on December 26th, 2022. Ben was born June 2, 1967, in Forsyth County, Georgia. He was native of Cumming, Georgia, where he grew up and lived most of his life. 

As a young boy, Ben learned the value of arduous work from helping his father and brother after school and most weekends feeding their cattle, fixing fences, and maintaining their farm. Additionally, Ben learned, from his father, how to plant and harvest a vegetable garden as well as various fruits & nuts that included apples, grapes, cherries, and pecans grown at home. His love for apple trees won him several awards in district competitions in the 4-H. Ben was exceptionally good at giving presentations and enjoyed team competitions in both the 4-H and FFA.

Ben was fortunate to have great support from his parents as well as a few mentors like Hugh McMillan during his years in the 4-H. All these experiences helped build Ben’s strong work ethic and confidence. After high school, Ben went to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, where his father was an Alumni. Ben was president of the Alpha Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity at Oglethorpe University. He served in various leadership roles in other organizations as well as taking new fraternity brothers under his wing and helping them learn good study habits. Furthermore, Ben always made himself available to help, support and teach anyone in need. For example, Ben taught over a dozen fraternity brothers how to snow ski at Ski Beech Mountain in Boone, North Carolina during his senior year. Ben graduated from Oglethorpe University earning his B.B.A degree in Economics and went on to graduate from Law School at the University of Georgia. Ben fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a lawyer, and enjoyed working in real estate, criminal, family, and business law for 30 years. He enjoyed working inextremely difficult and unusual cases and always sought to represent his clients to the best of his ability. He loved going to trial unlike most Attorneys these days.

Ben was best known for his quick-witted and uncanny sense of humor, fierce determination, and generous spirit. He used humor in unusual ways which was often entertaining to those that were able to follow him. Ben was highly intelligent and had an enhanced vocabulary and was always either creating words or finding creative uses for existing words such as DEVO. He loved studying all types of history such as researching his family lineage back to 900 AD. Ben enjoyed playing Chess, RISK, Monopoly, and other competitive board games. He never let a single family member win a game of risk or monopoly. His favorite movies: Star Wars, No Country for Old Men, Blue Velvet, Fight Club and Pulp Fiction. Since childhood, he loved to read the Encyclopedia Britannica and was extremely knowledgeable about everything related to history, especially the civil war. Later in life, he picked up some exciting recreational activities including darts, table tennis, thrifting, collecting maps, refinishing furniture, and collecting key chains. He loved spending time with his family and playing & teaching darts while sharing crazy stories with each other. Ben was always having competitions in darts, ping pong or any sporting event. Without question, Ben touched the lives of countless people. Ben will truly be missed and will never, ever, be forgotten.

Ben is survived by his wife Noy C. Bagwell; his parents Lanier and Diane Bagwell; his son, Andrew and his wife Karina Bagwell; his daughter Mathis Bagwell; his favorite brother, Brian and his wife Charo Bagwell; his nephews Brendan and Robert “Bob” Bagwell; his aunts & uncles, Marvin and Brenda Shoemake, Wade and Pam Tallant, L.K. and Janie Ditmore, Ed Batchelor; and many more cousins and extended family members.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Rev. Haldene and Catherine Bagwell, and Edgar Lee and Essie Nalley; his aunt Diane Bagwell Batchelor; and his uncle Douglas M. Nalley.

Visitation will be Thursday December 29, 2022, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm and Friday December 30, 2022, from 11:00 am until the service (1:00pm).

Funeral Service will be held at Ingram Funeral Home (210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA  30040) on Friday December 30, 2022, at 1:00pm at the chapel.  Following the service, Interment will follow in the Maxwell Cemetery located at 9600 Westside Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA  30009.

The service can be seen at https://youtu.be/LApG7bJKn7Q

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, 210 Ingram Avenue, Cumming, Georgia 30040, is in charge of arrangements.