Dorothy Marie Bagwell went to be with the Lord on April 17th, 2023 at the age of 91.  Dorothy was born July 26, 1931 to Rev. Melvin & Sylvia Smitley in Galesburg, Illinois.  She graduated from Central High School in Springfield, MO in 1949, and belonged to the forty-niner’s club until her death.

Dorothy’s parents Rev. Melvin & Sylvia Smitley, brother Phillip Smitley, husband Henry Bagwell, sister-in-laws Margie Smitley, and Mary Redmon, brother-in-law Lamar Redmon, daughter-in-law LaDonna Bagwell preceded her in death.  She is survived by her children: Linda (Bruce) Laugherty, Don Bagwell, Mark (Wilma) Bagwell, David (Theresa) Bagwell, and Mike Bagwell, grandchildren: Amber (Hadyn) Hollister, Benjamin Bagwell, Aaron Bagwell, Andrea (Darren) Sorrell, Rick Bagwell, Wendy (Dane) Mortimer, great-grandchildren Jaina Mortimer, Isabelle Hollister, John Hollister, Edmund Hollister, David Hollister, and many other great nieces & nephews.

Dorothy had a miracle healing at age 8.  She had her appendix rupture and gangrene and pernicious peritonitis had set in, leading to emergency surgery.  Some days later her fever had reached 108.4 degrees, a record for the hospital.  The doctors told her parents that the brain cells would be burned up, and she would be a vegetable.  Her condition became critical.  She had no pulse or heartbeat, and the pillows and flowers had been removed from the room.  Her situation appeared to be hopeless.  Her father Rev. Melvin Smitley prayed for strength and put her in the hands of God.  Suddenly Dorothy’s eyes opened as she regained consciousness.  Her temperature dropped to 101 in less than an hour.  She totally recovered from this and became the child miraculously healed by God.

Dorothy met her loving husband Henry while he was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri.  She married Henry on September 11, 1953 after he finished serving his country in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War.  To this marriage spanning 61 years, five children were born: Linda, Don, Mark, David, and Mike.

Dorothy was a long term member at Central Assembly of God church where she was involved in many activities, and was an usher’s wife for sixty years.

Dorothy’s time was spent as a mother to her kids and loving wife to her husband.  She always made time for her family playing games, taking them to the lake to enjoy boating, barbecuing, and taking them on big summer vacations each year.  She taught her kids good work ethics and many other life skills.

Our loss of Dorothy is Heaven’s gain.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Greenlawn East Funeral Home, 3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 from 11:00 am at Greenlawn East Funeral Home, 3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO.  Burial will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, MO.