OBITUARY: Helen Virginia Baggett

Helen Virginia Birdwell Baggett, age 91 of Greenbrier, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Morningside Assisted Living, surrounded by those she loved and loved her. Funeral services will be conducted at 12pm Saturday, October 25, 2025, in the chapel of the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Greenbrier with Bro. Nathan Washburn officiating. Special tribute will be given by her daughters, Laura and Janet. Burial will follow in the Bethlehem Baptist Church cemetery with Nick Brown, Jacob Brown, Landon Clark, Joe Williams, Jeff Joachim, Jace Clark and Austin Brown serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 10am until time of service at 12pm, at the funeral home.

She was born in the Barren Plains community to the late Delwin E. And Lucille “Dixie” Birdwell on September 18, 1934. She was the fifth child and third daughter of 13 children. In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, John D. Baggett, siblings J. D. Birdwell, Alma Owen, Jewel Birdwell, Grant Birdwell, Paul Birdwell, Wayne Birdwell, and Bobby Birdwell, and son-in-law Mike Brown.

Survivors include two daughters, Laura Brown of Greenbrier and Janet Cooksey of Nashville, three grandchildren, Nick (Amy) Brown of Murfreesboro, Kayla (Landon) Clark of Knoxville, and Jacob Brown of Smyrna. Also, six great grandchildren, Jace, Lila, and Lainey Clark of Knoxville, Austin, Hailey and Aubrey Brown of Murfreesboro. She is also survived by three sisters, Ruth Ricks, Marie Haley, and Lucille (Troy) Bell, two brothers, David (Kay) Birdwell and Leonard Birdwell.

Mrs. Baggett was educated in the Robertson County schools. She graduated Greenbrier High School class of 1952. After graduation she began working at National Life in Nashville. After becoming a mother, she took time off to stay home and raise her girls. And then she was the first person hired for the First National Bank in Springfield as a teller. She retired after 22 years of service.

Mrs. Baggett enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed many hobbies including reading, sewing, gardening, photography, traveling, quilting, writing and genealogy. She published a book, a family history “For the Cousins”. She traveled with her late husband touring 48 states. She did an extensive tour of Australia, Alaska and several European countries.

Mrs. Baggett was a Christian and a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Greenbrier, where she held several leadership positions. She was a charter member of the Greenbrier historical society. And was instrumental with the implementation of the memorial brick sidewalk.

The family would like to thank Morningside Assisted Living and her wonderful caregivers for the love and care they provided for the last few years. And to Aveanna Hospice for the care and concern shown to her and the family during the last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Greenbrier First Baptist Church, 2518 Highway 41 S, Greenbrier, TN 37073 or by visiting www.greenbrierfirst.com or to the Greenbrier Historical Society, 825 W College Street, Greenbrier, TN 37073.

Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Greenbrier is in charge of these arrangements.