Sara Bagby

Sara Bagby, a well-known and respected pharmacist and church and community worker passed from this life on February 10, 2025, at Landmark Hospital in Columbia, Mo. She was 76 years of age.

Sara Margaret Hackley was born at Lee Hospital in Fayette on November 7, 1948, the daughter of Harold Leon and Mary Margorie (Geiger) Hackley. She was raised on the family farm just off Route J near Boonesboro. She grew up enjoying all the joys of life on the farm with friends and family at home, at Boonesboro Christian Church, and at Farmer’s High rural school. After completing grade 8 there, she attended Fayette R-III High School as a freshman and graduated with the class of 1966. She was a student at Central Methodist College in Fayette for one year before continuing her education at the University of Missouri School of Pharmacy in Kansas City.

Sara married Gary Bagby, a Fayette native with family ties to the Boonesboro community, at the Fayette First Christian Church on August 23, 1975. The couple had nearly 50 years together, raising two wonderful children and enjoying all the “ups and downs” of life at home on West Davis and at work at church and in the community.

After her family, Sara was probably most proud of her professional accomplishments. Her interest in the profession of Pharmacy began in High School when she got a job at Alsop and Graham Drugs on the east side of the Fayette Square. Encouraged by her employer, Mr. Dale Graham, she received her degree in Pharmacy from UMKC and became a Missouri Registered Pharmacist in 1972. Her career as a pharmacist was truly a life-long one. She performed her apprenticeship with Mr. Graham and continued to work in Fayette for a period of years. In succeeding years, she was employed at a number of pharmacies. Among them were Truman V.A. Hospital, Boone Hospital, Keller Hospital, and retail pharmacies in Columbia, Moberly, Salisbury, Slater, and Boonville. Even in retirement, she remained active in the field as a fill-in Pharmacist at Henderson’s Drug Store in Glasgow. She was the proud holder of her 50-year certificate from the Missouri Board of Pharmacy.

Sara was deeply involved in her church and community. At the Fayette First Christian Church, she served on the Board as an Elder and Deacon. She also served on many committees through the years, taught Sunday School, and was an ever-present member of the choir. In the community, she was a Board member of the Howard County Ambulance District and Howard County Sheltered Services. She was a member of the American Women for Education, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Fayette Area Heritage Association.

In recent years, Sara greatly enjoyed her volunteer work, reading with first graders at Lawrence J. Daly Elementary School. She was honored to receive the Distinguished Citizen of the Year award in May 2022 from the Fayette R-III Board of Education for over 20 years of service.

Sara was preceded in death by her parents and by her stepmother, Nancy Hackley. Surviving to celebrate her life with them and mourn her passing are her husband, Gary; her children, Mary (Matt) Griswold and Nicholas (Carrie Strodtman) Bagby; her grandchildren, Emma Kate and Lydia Rose Griswold and Jillian and Christopher Flaspohler; her sister Mary (Scott) Randall; her brother, Tom (Paula) Hackley; and her stepmother, Bonnie Hackley. Also surviving are her brother-in-law, Don (Jan) Bagby; her nieces, Laura Bagby and Erin (Joe) Castellano; and great-niece and nephews Austen, Chase, and Cash Castellano. She is also survived by her aunt, Doris Phillips, several cousins, and many cherished friends.

Funeral services for Sara Bagby will be held at the Fayette First Christian Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 14, with Pastors Sharae Kelly and Matt Griswold officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, February 13. Burial at Fayette City Cemetery will follow the service with Tom Hackley, Nick Bagby, Christopher Flaspohler, Don Bagby, Gene Miller, and Ted Spayde serving as pallbearers.

Given the possibility of inclement weather, the service may be viewed on the church website, www.fayettefcc.org. Online condolences may be shared at friemonthfreesefuneralservice.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Fayette First Christian Church, Fayette City Cemetery, or an organization or charity of the donor’s choice. These may be directed to Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy 5 & 240 North, Fayette, MO 65248.