Larry C Bagby

The humble Reverend Larry Bagby was born September 13, 1940 on a farm 10 miles south of Knob Noster, Missouri. He was the son of Ernest and Marie Lear Bagby. He graduated from the Knob Noster High School in 1959 and attended Bethel College in McKenzie, TN. Where he received his B.A. Degree 1963. He then attended the Memphis Theological Seminary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and graduated in 1966 having earned a B.D. degree.

Reverend Bagby served his home church throughout his college and seminary years. During these same years he served the Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church Chilhowee, Missouri and Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church Miami, Missouri. He served 8 years traveling back and forth to Shawnee Mound, Missouri from Memphis, Tennessee at least twice a month. Upon completion of seminary, he served from 1966-1968 at Central Cumberland Presbyterian Church Memphis, Tennessee as Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries with Dr. Jimmy Latimer.

From 1970 to 1978, Reverend Bagby served as Chaplain of the Rosewood Convalescent Center in Memphis owned by Wallace Johnson. Along with this ministry in 1974 Reverend Bagby became Pastor of the Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Mason, Tennessee, where he served for nearly 18 years. It was during this time that Brother Larry had a Radio Ministry. It was called, “Moment of Truth.” Reverend Bagby was on the radio every Sunday for 15 minutes for approximately 18 month. The radio station, “KWAM 990AM,” in Memphis Tennessee.

In 1989, Reverend Bagby joined the staff of the Highland Heights C. p. church in Memphis, where he organized a very large senior adult ministry called the XYZ “Xtra Years of Zest”

In 1995, Reverend Bagby became Senior Pastor of this midtown Highland Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he served until it’s closing at the end of 2006.

In addition to this busy schedule this busy man served the Frayser Cumberland Presbyterian Church which was in decline. He guided

it to its closure in 2002.

Reverend Bagby’s Senior Adult Ministry included Members from the East Side Cumberland Presbyterian Church which closed in 2004.

Reverend Bagby was not only a minister with a number of gifts and abilities he was also an author publishing two books. The first one called “The Key to the Balanced Life.” Charting his pilgrimage from birth till he was in his early 60’s. The second publication was a book called “The Perils of the Parson and the Grieving Church.” Which dealt with grieve, humor and anxiety as well as insights gained from having been instrumental in closing 3 churches. After the closing of these churches Reverend Bagby became Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries at Faith Cumberland Presbyterian church Bartlett, Tennessee a suburb of Memphis. This man attributes the success and blessing of his ministry first of all to the Lord Jesus Christ, but also to the able bodied assistance of Twila Slezak, who was his assistant and was with him until his journey’s end.

Reverend Bagby having no family except some cousins considers Twila like a daughter. Mark her husband as a great support to this ministry. Their three children Heather Coleman spouse (Steven Coleman) Rachel Elkin and Joseph Slezak as his Adopted Grandchildren. Haven Lea Elkin, Lexi Jo Marie Elkin, Landon Alexander Coleman and Heidi Jo Ann Coleman as his Adopted Great Grandchildren, plus a host of friends who are already in the company of the Kingdom.

Funeral arrangements will be

In Memphis

Friday August 18, 2017, 9: 30 Visitation. 10:30 Funeral at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar

In Missouri:

Saturday August 19, 2017 10: 00 Visitation. 11: 00 Funeral at Pleasant Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Graveside to follow in church cemetery.

The family request that memorials be given to the Pleasant Grove Church or Cemetery.