Barbara Bagby

Barbara Gayle Bagby (Thrasher) departed this earthly life peacefully after a courageous three year battle with ovarian cancer and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 11, 2016. The daughter of World War II U.S. Army veteran and former Seffner Postmaster Edward F. Thrasher and Mary F. Thrasher, Barbara was preceded in death by her father and her brother Finous Thrasher. Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 36 years William “Larry” Bagby, sons William “Randy” Bagby (Lisa) and Russell E. Bagby, daughter Rachael K. Bagby, stepdaughter Rebecca “Beckie” Bagby, mother Mary Thrasher, brother David Thrasher and wife Lauren and nieces Jennifer Thrasher and Kelly Portillo (Alex) and baby Marcello, sister Elizabeth Shannon and husband Richie and nephews Richard and Joe Shannon and niece Elizabeth “Lizzie” Shannon , sister-in-law Sandra “Sandy” Thrasher and niece Christin Bolden (Jerry) and son Trevor , and grandchildren William Thomas Bagby, Benjamin Wallace Bagby and Eleanor Grace Bagby. Barbara was born in Seffner, Florida, in 1951 and attended the old Seffner Elementary School, Mann Jr. High School, and she graduated from Brandon High School (now McLane Middle School) in 1969. Barbara attended college at the University of South Florida. She was a member of the charter class in the College of Nursing at USF where she graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Following her graduation, Barbara worked for one year in oncology at the VA Hospital in Tampa. She then joined the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps in 1976 as an officer and was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, at Malcolm Grow Hospital, where she worked in OB/GYN. When it came time to change assignments, Barbara was at first assigned to Germany and her nurse friend was assigned to Spain. The Air Force agreed to let them trade their assignments, so, in 1978 she was transferred to Torrejon Air Base, Spain, located just east of Madrid. There she worked in the base hospital OB/GYN and the nursery. While stationed in Spain, Barbara was able to travel extensively throughout Europe. In 1979 while she was still in Spain, Barbara met her future husband Larry who was also serving in the U.S. Air Force there as an intelligence officer. They were married on Valentine’s Day 1980. Barbara was promoted to the grade of Captain in the U.S. Air Force in 1979. After Barbara served her four year commitment in the Air Force in 1980, she decided to leave active duty and become a full time wife and mother. In 1981 their son Randy was born at the base hospital in Spain where Barbara worked. Also, in the summer of 1981, Larry’s daughter Beckie traveled overseas for the first time at the age of 12 years and spent her summer vacation with Barbara and Larry in Spain where they travelled to many memorable places. Barbara and Larry both remembered their time in Spain with great fondness and considered it their best tour in the Air Force. From Spain, in 1982, Larry was transferred to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., so the family moved to northern Virginia in Dale City. Barbara and Larry were blessed with another child and daughter Rachael was born at the U.S. Army Hospital at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in 1983. She and her big brother Randy became inseparable playmates. From northern Virginia, the family moved to Barbara’s home state of Florida in 1985 after Larry received an assignment to U.S. Central Command headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base. The family moved to Valrico where they were located close to all of Barbara’s family. This was a great time for Barbara, Larry and the children. Randy and Rachael were able to help their grandpa farm and plant seeds. They loved to ride on his tractor at their grand parents’ home place in Seffner. Barbara always believed there was nothing like family and church to instill good, solid values and training in children. Barbara also decided to return to her nursing profession, and she worked at Brandon Hospital for 17 years mostly in the Education Office. In 1987, Barbara and Larry were blessed to have another son, Russell, who was welcomed into their family. “Rusty” became the apple of Barbara’s eye, and he, in turn, was devoted to his mother. Barbara and Larry became involved in Christian service at their local First Church of the Nazarene in Brandon under the leadership of Pastor Don Williams. Barbara taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery, and served on the church board. In 1990, Barbara attended and completed requirements at the Wicks Institute in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to become an enterostomal therapist. When she returned home, she initiated and provided highly effective ostomy and wound care at Brandon Hospital. Later, Barbara worked at University Community Hospital in Carrollwood in the ostomy and wound care. Barbara’s greatest strength as a nurse was always her caring and compassion for her patients while providing them with the best and most advanced care. She always kept up to date on the latest changes in wound and ostomy care as well while engaging higher management support to provide better medical products to her patients. Barbara finished her 40 year nursing career at Moffitt Cancer Center again in wound and ostomy care. She had a special place in her heart for cancer patients having lost her aunt Louise Blevins to cancer. Barbara worked for three years at Moffitt when she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in October 2013. She worked until January, 2014. After her retirement, Barbara’s main activities were centered around her family and church. She absolutely adored her grandchildren William, Benjamin and Eleanor. Barbara and Larry have attended the Sydney First Church of God since 2010 under the leadership of Pastor J. D. Wheeler and later Pastor Phil Baker and Associate Pastor Shirley Cowder. At the Sydney Church of God, they have been richly blessed by the fervent and effective preaching of God’s Word and the dedication, commitment and caring of God’s people who have shown great service, compassion and love to Barbara, Larry and the family. Barbara’s favorite scriptures included Psalm 23, all of Romans chapter 8, and the Word for practical day-to-day living found in 1 and 2 Corinthians. The viewing and visitation services for Barbara will be held on Thursday evening September 15th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Stowers’ Funeral Home located at 401 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511. The church service celebrating Barbara’s life will be held the next day on Friday, September 16th at 10:00 am at the Sydney First Church of God located at 1432 Sydney Dover Rd., Dover, FL 33527. Following the church service, there will be a luncheon at the church in the fellowship hall. Burial will be at 2:00 pm at the Sarasota National Cemetery located near Sarasota, Florida, at 9810 State Rd. 72. At the request of Barbara and her family, please wear cheerful attire.