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Travis Solomon Baggett, 96, went on to be with his Lord on Dec. 26, 2020, after a one-day hospital stay due to what he referred to as just being tired.

Baggett, whose wife lovingly called him “Rooster,” had been looking forward to his Heavenly home for a while, and he was able to say good bye to his family one last time as they were there to share in his departure.

Baggett was born in Castleberry on Feb. 7, 1924 to Samuel Cleveland Baggett and Sara Dolihite Baggett, both of Conecuh County, and he outlived all 10 of his siblings. He is a seventh-generation direct descendant of Jesse Baggett, the founder of Castleberry and a war hero of the War of 1812.

Baggett attended school at Castleberry, and was raised on the old Baggett Farm, a former landmark in Conecuh County. At the age of 17, Baggett enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in World Ware II as a fire controller. In 1943, Baggett met and married Dorothy Mae Fussell of Evergreen, when he was 19 and she was 17. The couple just celebrated 77 years of marriage on Nov. 13 of this year.  “Rooster” and “Hen,” as Baggett called Dorothy, married after only two dates. “Rooster” always said her cooking and her looks are what snagged him back then. Baggett and Dorothy had four sons, who all eventually made Atmore their home.

Besides serving in the US military, Baggett worked at the Mobile Shipyard, a meat packing house and even worked in construction building bridges all over the southeast. He later worked at the Evergreen Head Mill for several years, which ultimately led him to join the Evergreen Police Department as an officer. In 1965, Baggett and his family headed to Atmore, where he served as a corrections officer with the Alabama Department of Corrections for 25 years.

He was known for his left-handed sharp shooter/marksman skills, which came in handy during squirrel-hunting trips. Some of his favorite past-times consisted of attempting to “sweat out cholesterol” by chopping wood and throwing feed out to chickens. Thanks to Dorothy’s cooking, he never ate left overs and would eat ice cream and Pay Day candy bars any time she would let him.

During his retired years, he was known to greet everyone with a “Hey, Friend,” especially while out delivering Dorothy’s cakes to the sick and shut-in. At the age of 94, Baggett finally decided to stop driving his bright red truck, which meant his weekly rounds to certain Atmore businesses for visits, talks and coffee came to an end.  As a child of God and believer in Jesus Christ, Baggett often could still quote scripture and tell Bible stories to anyone who would listen.

Baggett lived a full life and was loved immensely, especially by his family. His favorite response to most of life’s puzzling and crazy situations was always, “I do know.”  Certainly, now he does know indeed as he is with the one who redeemed him many years ago.

Baggett is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Sarah Baggett of Castleberry; his son, Steve Baggett of Atmore; and daughter in law, Rita Baggett of Atmore. His deceased siblings are Jesse, Howard, Buck, Ned, Ella, Loreen, Helen, Francis, Mary and Elaine.

Survivors include the love of his life, his wife, Dorothy Baggett; sons, Ronnie (Margaret) Baggett of Atmore, Donnie Baggett of Atmore and Garry (Vicki) Baggett of Bratt, Fla.; grandchildren, Stephen Baggett of Atmore, Krystal (Charles) Weaver of Dothan, Alex (Kaylee) Baggett of Louisiana, Melissa Baggett of Atmore, Corry Baggett of Atmore and Lexxi Baggett of Bratt.

Baggett is survived by five great -grandchildren and several special nieces.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow, Tues., Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Tim James of Atmore Apostolic Church officiating. Burial will follow at Buffington Cemetery in Castleberry, with full military honors. Visitation will be held on Dec. 29 from 9 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m. Petty Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Active pallbearers will be Alex Baggett, Corry Baggett, Haynes Gandy, Hunter Kite, Luke Miller, Zack Miller.