In Memory: Randall Bagwell, Former Canton Mayor

Editor’s note: the following obituary was submitted by Darby Funeral Home.

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Randall Bagwell was born in Forsyth County, Georgia on June 17, 1927. After graduating from Canton High School in 1944, he attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia. Then he served in the United States Navy during World War II. After returning home from the navy, he attended and graduated from Reinhardt College. He was employed at Canton Textile Mills for several years.

In 1982, he and his wife Jeanette acquired and operated their own business, Cherokee Cleaners in Canton for many years. Randall was an active community person. He served two terms as City Councilman representing the downtown area during the 60’s.

In 1971 he was elected mayor of Canton and served two terms. He was very pleased that he and his administration was able to negotiate the purchase of the old post office building getting city hall on ground level and eliminating the long steps that people had to climb to conduct city business.

He was most pleased that a pension plan for city employees was established under his administration and is still in effect through the Georgia Municipal Association. Randall was an active member of the Canton First United Methodist Church serving in many positions.

The last several years, he worked part-time with Northside Pharmacy where his son Bob was pharmacist and co-owner of this pharmacy. In December 1950, Randall married Jeanette Harrell who came to Cherokee County as home economist with the Georgia Agricultural Extension Service.

The couple has two sons, Charles Gregory (Greg) Bagwell Sr. of Roswell, Georgia and Robert Randall Bagwell Sr. of Canton, Georgia. Other family survivors include grandchildren, great-grandchildren, two sisters, Betty Bagwell Dowell of Athens, Alabama, and Myra Bagwell Harris of Gainesville, Georgia. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services were held at Canton United First Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. The family received visitors on Friday, Jan. 29 at Darby Funeral Home.

Internment will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the building fund of Canton First United Methodist Church. For more information contact Darby Funeral Home or the church.

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