Patricia Anne Bagnal

1934 - 2025

Patricia Anne (Smith) Bagnal

April 5, 1934 - January 3, 2025

Columbia, South Carolina - This Obituary & Eulogy was written by Charles W. Bagnal, husband of Patsy, prior to his death on June 30, 2015.

Patricia Anne (Smith) Bagnal was born on April 5, 1934, to the late Rudolph C. Smith, Sr. and Olive Brown Smith, from Florence, SC. She was married to Lt. General Charles Wilson Bagnal for 59 years. She is survived by three sons; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Upon graduation from high school, Patsy attended Columbia College for a year and then went to Washington, D.C. to work for the House of Representatives Legislative Council under Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn. She wanted to be closer to her high school sweetheart, Charles Bagnal, who was a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Patsy and Charles were married at The West. Point Chapel on June 6, 1956. Over the next 35 years, Patsy devoted her life to raising her family and improving the quality of lives for the military families. During this time frame, Patsy moved her family 28 times and traveled to 108 different Nations and completed her college studies at American University. Due to Patsy's exemplary contributions to the welfare of military families she was awarded the Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service, which is the highest award that the Secretary of the Army may grant to a private citizen. Upon Charles' retirement from the Army and returning home to South Carolina, Patsy found her employment niche at First Baptist Church in Columbia for 10 years. She was the receptionist and assistant office manager.

Patsy was a person of unbounding love, good humor, great wit and of grace who was known and loved by all. Her love for God and her neighbors was at the heart of all that she did. As a result God granted her wisdom, exceptional charm, the ability of entertainment to the nth degree, grace in all aspects of her life, and the ability to bring joy to the lives of all with whom she came in contact.

Patsy was a loving and caring wife, a wonderful mother, a talented helpmate, contributed so much to the lives of soldiers and their families and made each place better where she lived in a social and spiritual way. She was gracious, kind, caring, compassionate, loving and could be stern when necessary but always in a respectful manner. As enumerated herein God gave Patsy many talents which she used for His glory. Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Patsy has entertained many angels over the years and they have been blessed as well as us. She was a missionary for God in every sense of the word.

Patsy will be interred at the United States Military Academy Cemetery at West Point, New York with her husband, Charles. Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.