Diane Bagwell

Diane Nalley Bagwell, unexpectedly passed away early morning in her sleep on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024. Diane was born in Alpharetta, Georgia in the same house as her husband, Lanier Bagwell was born. Her parents were Edgar Lee Nalley and Essie Walker Nalley. She was proud to be a lifelong Forsyth County resident and always supported her county and community. Diane was a devoted Christian and member of Brookwood Baptist Church and formerly a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church for most of her life. She joined Brookwood in 2016, after Lanier joined during a special service the church had at The Oak Tree. Lanier told his son, Brian, I am going to get some water, but instead he decided to join the church. It was an unexpected blessing and the best decision we ever made! Lanier, Diane, Ben, Brian, Charo & Robert love being part of the Brookwood Family!

Diane’s two younger sisters, Brenda and Janie, played sports and were friends with Lanier’s two younger sisters, Diane Batchelor and Pam Tallant. In High School, Lanier took all five girls in his car to the Southeastern Fair for their 1st date with Diane. After Lanier’s car stalled out, it turned out very handy to have the extra girls available to push off the car!

Time passed by, Diane finished High School and attended Business School to become a secretary. Her father, Edgar Lee Nalley strongly encouraged her decision and she received additional financial incentive to take this path. After graduating, she got a job in Atlanta at the Fireman’s Fund Insurance and she bought her dream car: a brand new baby blue 1964 Ford Thunderbird coupe.

Diane loved that car so much that she still owns it! She even used the carport in her Parent’s house until her father, Edgar Lee’s Cadillac was stolen out of the yard and he told Diane that she couldn’t park her T-bird in the carport anymore.

Diane finally accepted she had feelings for Lanier. It was when she found out that Lanier had bought a swimsuit for a girl that was competing in the beauty pageant where Diane’s sister, Brenda, was also competing. Lanier ask Diane if they could carpool to Atlanta, where they both were working since Diane had her sweet ride and we know the dependability of Lanier’s cars. 

 After that, they started dating and they started getting serious after Lanier earned a Batchelor Degree of Business Administration (BBA) in accounting in 1965 from Oglethorpe University. On June 8, 1966, Lanier took Diane for a boat ride on Lake Lanier where he proposed and she accepted. They were married on September 4, 1966. 

Diane was still working at the Fireman’s Fund Insurance until Lanier and Diane’s oldest son, Ben, was born on June 4, 1967. They were delighted when they added Brian to their family December 27, 1970.

 Without question, Lanier and Diane were soulmates and enjoyed their life together for 57 years until Lanier passed away last year on May 12, 2023. 

Lanier worked at Gold Kist over 40 years as a commodities trader. Diane loved his job since it required him to attend various trade association meetings and visit feed mills as well as go to meeting with the Railroads. Diane was able to go with him and travel and enjoy the hotel resorts and amenities while Lanier worked. Diane got accustomed to this lifestyle and always helped Lanier by getting his business peers to like him better since he had a tough negotiator reputation in the industry. Diane always provided the calmer, nicer and less aggressive balance to their relationship. This was part of the secret formula for their successful marriage.

After retiring from Gold Kist, Lanier & Diane founded and operated Bagwell Trading Company, LLC for 7 years, as a Grain Broker. This allowed Diane and Lanier the opportunity to travel and spend time with great friends they had met over the years in this industry, like Bill & Early Smith. Lanier and Bill Smith served together on many boards & association committees. Diane developed a high standard when it came to hotel accommodations, food and amenities and frequently compared where they stayed to the resort they loved the most - the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Without question, Diane and Lanier would rather be at Ponte Vedra than any other place in the world.

Diane grew up attending Church every Sunday, from the time she was a baby until recently when she wasn’t able to attend as much because of her diabetes and declining sight from a condition she called “immaculate degeneration.” When Diane was just crawling, her Grandpa, Rev. Dorsey Nalley, would take her in the pulpit where the preachers use to sit during church. Rev. Nalley would let her crawl around while he preached. Her Grandfather was a well respected Pastor in the community and had been the Pastor for many great churches over many years. Rev. Nalley had baptized over 600 saved individuals during that time. Diane’s grandfather and grandmother had a major influence on her development into a kind, caring, loving and hard working person. 

Like most girls in the 1960’s, she fell in love with Elvis Presley and kept that love of his music her entire life. Diane would start dancing anytime she heard an Elvis song or a rock-in-roll song from her days like rock around the clock. Diane had a great Elvis party to celebrate her 80th birthday and people are still talking about it! 

Diane had a true love of family. She cherished spending time with her two boys, Ben and Brian, and with her grandchildren. She enjoyed taking them on trips to her favorite places - Ski Beech, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and Disney World. She also enjoyed traveling to places like France, Germany, and Bermuda, just to name a few. There is no one more dedicated and interested in spending quality time with their family like Diane and Lanier did during their 57 years together. Lanier always had tickets to the Atlanta Braves, Hawks, Falcons, or The Master’s in Augusta. 

Diane was highly intelligent, inquisitive, observant and quiet natured. So when she spoke, you better be listening as she did not repeat herself. Either that or she might not repeat what she said because she had turned you off and started watching General Hospital . She loved that soap opera throughout her life, so everything had to wait after her show was over. She couldn’t miss an episode and when video recordings were invented, Lanier bought her one so she would never miss it. Diane also loved drinking Tab, watching Dr. Who and playing ROOK the card game. 

Diane was a special person that will be remembered in our hearts forever! She is now with Lanier, Ben, her parents and family in Heaven with Jesus! She was loved and respected by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Diane lived life to the fullest and left her mark on this world as a role model and person to follow in her steps. God bless this beautiful lady!

 Diane is preceded in death by her husband, Lanier Bagwell; her son, Benjamin Bagwell, her brother and sister-in-law Douglas & Norma Nalley; her parents Edgar Lee & Essie Nalley; her parents-in-law Rev. Haldene & Catherine Bagwell; and her sister-in- law, Diane Bagwell Batchelor. 

Diane is survived by her son and daughter-in law, Brian & Charo Bagwell; grandchildren, Andrew (Karina) Bagwell, Mathis Bagwell, Brendan Bagwell and Robert Bagwell; sister Brenda Nalley Shoemake, and brother-in-law Marvin Shoemake; sister Janie Nalley Ditmore and brother-in-law, L.K. Ditmore; sister-in-law Pam Bagwell Tallant and brother-in-law Wade Tallant; and brother-in-law, Ed Batchelor; nephew, Jason (Jessica) Batchelor; nephew, Eric Batchelor; niece Ellen (Keith) Vinson; niece April (Harouna) Koudougo; niece Meredith (Ricky) Bryan; niece Kerensa (States) Wing; niece Kim (Justin) Medlock; niece Adena (Matt) McDaniel; niece Heather (Chris) Colbeck; niece Megan (Steve) Endicott; niece Julie (Michael) Bennett; as well as many cousins and extended family.

The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory (210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA 30040) on Sunday, August 4th 2024 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Monday, August 5th, 2024 beginning at 10:00 am. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 5th 2024, at 11:00 am in the chapel of Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory with Rev. Joey Gilbert, Rev. Tommy Weldy and Rev. Donnie Nix officiating. The interment will follow at the Maxwell Cemetery (9600 Westside Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30009). 

The service can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/live/5hqDxfWM3dc?si=pGUb574dpGlUKdSg