Ernest Eugene Baugus "JR"

Deacon Ernest Eugene Baugus, age 78, a resident of Columbia and Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, at his residence. 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 12:00 pm at Heritage Funeral Home with military honors to be provided by the United States Army. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery. A visitation will also be held on Saturday from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Ernest was born April 24, 1946. He transitioned from this life October 4, 2024. He was the son of the late Andrew “Duncan” Baugus and Rosie Lee Braden Baugus. Ernest was a praying man, a great provider, protector, and a mentor. Many lives were impacted by him. He was a brave and strong man, “Hero Dad”. He had the greatest love for his family, his boys, grandchildren and great grandson.

Deacon Baugus loved the Lord. He was a devoted member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Spring Hill, Tennessee, where he served diligently until his health declined. He was a dedicated deacon, a knowledgeable Sunday school teacher, a trustee board member and groundskeeper. Deacon Baugus served in whatever capacity needed. 

Ernest was retired from Union Carbide (heavy lift operator) and Maury County School System. He also held employment at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Lasko Metal Products; he raised tobacco crops and did some farming.

 Ernest was a veteran of the United States Army from December 15, 1965 to November 1, 1967. He served in the Vietnam War, First Infantry Division “Big Red 1”. He received an honorable discharge and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Marksman (Rifle M-14), Vietnam service medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

 An avid outdoorsman, Jr. loved country living. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a skilled mechanic. Jr. liked fast roaring cars and trucks (he even turned over a few). Jr. also enjoyed reading and watching wildlife and wartime documentaries. He was very skilled with guns and enjoyed target practicing. His culinary skills were phenomenal; oh, the grill was his buddy.

Ernest received his education in the Maury County School System, Columbia, Tennessee, Treholm Elementary and High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama and Burrell High School, Florence Alabama. 

Preceding him in death: parents – Andrew Duncan (Rosie Lee Braden) Baugus, paternal grandparents – Odie and Eliza Baugus, maternal grandparents – Augustus and Amanda Braden and granddaughter – Christyle Bullock. 

Those cherishing his memories: dedicated wife – Mrs. Alice Scribner Baugus; four loving sons, Christopher Baugus of Nashville, TN, Micky Baugus of Antioch, TN, Lamarcus (Kayla) Baugus of Columbia, TN, and Michael (Chiquita) Beach of Chesapeake, VA; grandchildren – Damion (Julie) Baugus, Eboni Curtis, Christine Baugus, Carrington Beach, Milayia Beach, Caelyn Dupuis, Alexis McNichols and Austin Hale; great grandson - Jacobi Baugus; loving sisters - Shirley Jackson of Cherokee, AL and Audrey (Stephen) Cole of Hendersonville, TN; loving brothers - Odie (Constance) Baugus of Killeen, TX and Andrew (Shalanda) Baugus of Hendersonville, TN. Devoted brother-cousins - Thomas “Tommy” Dale and Robert “Banny” Green; devoted friend - Deacon Alfred (Pete) Williams; dear cousins - Rudye (Charles) Harris, Glenda Walker. Six sisters-in-law - Callie Braden, Addie (Thomas) Floyd, Lou Willie Holt, Shirley Lofton, Betty (Raymond) Payne, and Peggy Pye. Devoted brothers-in-law - Joe Scribner and Ricky (Frances) Scribner. A host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, associates. Devoted ministers, Donald and Carletta Webster.