Talmage Sherrill Baggett Jr.

Talmage Sherrill Baggett, Jr., Eastover, NC, local attorney and retired District Court Judge, passed away on Saturday, July 13th at Columbus Regional Medical Center. The oldest child of Talmage Sherrill Baggett, Sr., and Ursula Bass Baggett, Tal was born on April 12, 1950 in Fayetteville.
He grew up in the Godwin community and attended Central High School, Appalachian State University, and Campbell University School of Law. After graduating from Appalachian State University, Tal was a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor, working in Watauga and surrounding counties, as well as locally. Upon graduating from law school, he practiced with Barrington, Jones, Armstrong and Baggett, and later with Armstrong and Baggett. In 2007, he was elected to the District Court Bench for the 12th Judicial District where he served until his retirement in 2018.
Tal had a true heart for public service. He served as a Cumberland County Commissioner from 1998-2006. He also served on the North Carolina Sentencing Commission, the 12th Judicial District Criminal Justice Partnership, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Board of Trustees, the Cumberland County Mental Health Board, Cumberland County Veterans' Council, Cumberland County Fire Chiefs' Association, Cumberland County Finance Committee, Cumberland County Partnership for Children, and the Board of Cape Fear Botanical Garden. He was the Eastover Sanitary District Founding Chair and Attorney, and he worked as the manager of the Sanitary District during his retirement. In recognition of Tal's exemplary dedication to public service, Governor Roy Cooper awarded him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2018.
Tal was a member of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, where he served as Past President and Board member, a member and Past President of the Fayetteville Jaycees, member and Past President of the American Hellenic Foundation and Progressive Association, member of the Eastover Civic Club, Cape Fear Country Club in Wilmington, and Highland Presbyterian Church, where he was a Wilson Bible Class teacher for 15 years.
Tal leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Kaye; his daughter, Marianna McMurry, and her husband, Ben; his sister, Debra Moore, and her husband, Tommy; his sister, Mary Rice, and her husband, Mark; his aunt, Mary John Turner; and cousins, nieces and nephews too numerous to name.
Tal was an accomplished attorney who zealously advocated for his clients. He had a true gift for captivating any audience, often sharing wisdom on topics ranging from training a hunting dog to perfecting a shrimp boil. His advice, stories, quick wit, and humor routinely entertained friends and colleagues alike. Of all of his accomplishments, his proudest was watching his daughter follow in his footsteps and become an attorney.
A celebration of Tal's life will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Highland Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville, NC, at 11 am. The family will receive guests immediately following the service.
Donations in Tal's honor can be made to the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club or the charity of one's choice.
McKenzie Mortuary, 112 Jefferson Street, Whiteville, NC is serving the Baggett Family.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Talmage Sherrill Baggett, Jr., please visit our floral store.