Sara Jo Bagley

June 21, 1934 – December 4, 2021

Sara Jo Bagley, age 87 of Lake Martin, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2021. Sara Jo was the ninth of ten children born to Annice Vickers Fontaine and John Penick Fontaine. She was born in Montgomery where she lived until 1969 when the family moved full time to Lake Martin. She lived there the remainder of her life, enjoying the lake views from her beloved gazebo. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James H. Bagley, Jr., nine brothers and sisters, son-in-law, Bill Shanks, and grandson, Chris Mathews. She is survived by her four children, Barbara Shanks of Montgomery, Diane Carmichael (Kevin) of Berkeley Lake, GA, James H. Bagley, III (Sandra) of Tallassee, and Tom Bagley (Melissa) of Notasulga. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Sharron Mathews, Sara Carmichael, and Michael, Grant and James Bagley. She will be missed by several nieces and nephews.

Serving her Lord through her church music was Sara Jo’s life-long passion, which she continued until September 2020 when she retired as organist at First Baptist Montgomery after 35 years. Sara Jo’s love of music began at age 8 and her musical talent progressed as she taught herself to play the piano. It wasn’t until the 7th grade that she had her first piano lesson. At that time, she and her sister worked as church janitors for Chisholm Baptist Church. Since her family could not afford to pay for piano lessons, Sara Jo used her salary as janitor to pay for her lessons. Within two weeks, she became their church pianist. When the church bought a Wurlitzer electronic organ, she was given one organ lesson a week as her salary. She continued her music all throughout high school and received a music scholarship which allowed her to attend the University of Montevallo. To support herself during her college years, she worked in the University’s music department and was also organist at the First Baptist Church in Montevallo. She graduated with honors from Montevallo in 1956.

Sara Jo was organist and/or choir director at several churches in Montgomery, including Eastern Hills Baptist Church, St. James Methodist Church, Dexter Avenue Methodist Church, Whitfield Methodist Church, Whitfield Memorial Presbyterian Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Highland Avenue Baptist Church and Ridgecrest Baptist Church until her childhood dream of being organist at First Baptist came true.

Sara Jo was very proud of her children and was a very active band parent for many years as she encouraged all four children who were involved in the Elmore County Band. She was a faithful Christian, loving mother and dear friend to many.

A family graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery. A celebration of life service will be held at First Baptist Montgomery on January 9, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Montgomery, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. The family would like to thank all the kind nurses at Baptist South as well as the many friends and family for all their prayers and support during a difficult time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the BAGLEY family.