Obit of Richard Voyne Baggett (b230) - Roger Mills County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Wanda Purcell 25 Jan 2001 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ==================================================================== Surnames: Baggett, Fuller, Knight, Burns, Laver Sgt. Richard Voyne Baggett, youngest son of Henry and Kate Baggett, was born January 23, 1915, at Herring, Okla., and was killed in action on the island of Sicily Autust 4, 1943, at the age of 28 years, 6 months, 13 days. The family moved to the Strong City community in 1930, where he graduated from high school in 1933. He entered the service of his country on December 3, 1941, and trained as a soldier at Fort Ord, Calif. He was in all the major campaigns in Africa, and was killed in action during the Sicilan invasion. When he was ten years of age he accepted Christ as his Savior. He was laid to rest beside his oldest brother, Lucius, who gave his life in the service of his county in World War I. Baggett was a fine young man who stood six feet and two inches. To know him was to love him. He was not only sound physically but possessed many good principles of religion and morality. He believed in rendering his best to any worthwile undertaking in life. This he gave to his country, his life. In his correspondence home he often stated that he was ready to give his life, to make the supreme sacrifice for those principles for which his brothers and nephews lived, fought and died. The last letter which he wrote home was dated June 17, 1943. In this letter he wrote somewhat of a farewell to all. Knowing the task before him, he wrote from Africa, "the twittering of the leaves, the rising of the sea breeze, the son of the birds and the challenge of the battle may soon end the last chapter of my life." He leaves behind, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Baggett, Strong City, Okla.; seven brothers, Bonda, Goldsmith, Texas; Everett, Oklahoma City, OK; Newman, Strong City, Okla., John and Acie, Chico, Calif.; Cecil, Ryan, Okla.; Terrence, Clinton, Okla.; four sisters, Mrs. Eala Fuller, Graham, Texas; Mrs. Eula Knight, Allen Reed, Texas; Mrs. Fern Burns, Fort Worth, Texas; Mrs. Lorene Laver, Whittaker, Calif., and other relatives and friends, who sympathize with the family. Reburial services were conducted by Rev. Andrew Borum, at the graveside in the Kiowa Cemetery, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, Sunday afternoon, August 29. --------------------------------------------------------------------