James R. Hagwood, Sr.

James R. Hagwood, Sr., age 87, of Bethune, S.C. passed away, Thursday evening, December 12, 2024, at Lexington Medical Center, Lexington, S.C. He was born in Raleigh, N.C. on August 8, 1937.

 A celebration of James Rudolph Hagwood Sr.’s life will be held at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 2140 McBee Highway, Jefferson, S.C 29718, on Tuesday, December 17th at 2:00 P.M. Presiding Pastor will be Rev. Terry Corder. Burial will follow in the Timrod Baptist Church, 4227 Timrod Road, Bethune, S.C. 29009, with military honors.

 The family will greet friends, on Tuesday, December 17th, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. in Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. 

 James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jackie Hilton Hagwood; his son, James R. Hagwood Jr. (wife, Lisa); his son, Steven H. Hagwood (wife, Kim; late grandson, Drew); Grandchildren, Ashley Eckel (husband, Myles; great-grandchildren, Carlee and Thomas), Erin Brodd (husband, Kyle; great-grandchildren, Kinlee and Ellisyn), Elizabeth Bisesti (husband, Jason; great-grandchildren, Alma-Rose and Quinn), and A.J. Hagwood (wife, Katherine; great-grandchildren James, Emma and Nora). James was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Rudolph Hagwood and Vivian Hagwood. He was one of seven siblings, two brothers, Charles and Allen who are deceased and four sisters Judy, Ruth, Cynthia and Rose Mary and many nieces, nephews and cousins. You can see that he followed God’s word, his quiver was full!

 James was a faithful servant to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Serving in many capacities throughout his life, as a choir director at Koza Baptist Church in Okinawa, and deacon at Mt. Pisgah Baptist. James was a veteran who faithfully served his country 26 years in the Air Force obtaining the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He served in various theater of operations during his enlistment including Vietnam. He served at the 89th Air Lift Wing, the Presidential Unit at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he went to work for Dynamics Research Corporation and retired from them after 20 years of faithful service.

James retired in Sumter, South Carolina to be near his wife’s parents, Floyd and Alma Hilton, who he helped care for in their failing health. Always putting others before himself, he was a pillar of who we are called to be by our Lord. James loved his family and his extended family sharing his many talents with others. He loved sports, playing basketball in high school and was an excellent fastpitch softball pitcher in the military. He was an avid runner who jogged with friends and his son and enjoyed golfing. He was 32nd degree Mason and faithfully served others. 

 He worked hard his whole life to provide for his family. He taught us a great work ethic and leaves a tremendous legacy. His deep devotion to his wife, family and others was rooted in his love and obedience to Christ our Savior following Christ’s words in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another”. That was our dad! 

 Memorial remembrances in memory of Mr. Hagwood may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting stjude.org.

 Arrangements are under the care of Baker funeral Home, 210 E. Hilton Street, Kershaw, S.C. 29067.