"Sunset and evening star and one clear call for me, may there be no mourning at the bar when I'm put out to sea"

Jean Leslie Taylor Bagley, affectionately known as "Billie Jean", transitioned suddenly and unexpectedly from earth to heaven on July 24, 2025.  She was born on July 26, 1957, in Petersburg, VA, to William Leslie and Marie B.  Taylor.  Raised in Jarratt, VA, Billie Jean was educated in the Sussex County Public School System where she graduated with the Sussex Central High School, Class of 1975.

Billie Jean's personality was truly her mother's Marie on steroids. Classmates and family knew if there was any side-cracking laughter, jokes or foolishness, "Jean Taylor wasn't far away". At the same time, she was all about business in protection of her family, siblings and children.

From a very young age, Billie Jean was grounded in faith and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. She was baptized at the Hassidiah Baptist Church, Jarratt, VA. Though belonging to Hassidiah, she mostly attended the Morning Star Baptist Church, Capron, VA under the pastorship of the late Rev. Frederick H. Bagley, Sr., where her daddy, the late Deacon William Taylor, was the Chairman of the Deacon Board for over 30 years.  The son, late Frederick H. Bagley, Jr. visited the church periodically and met the lovely Billie Jean and that meeting progressed into holy matrimony in December 1977.  To their union, two children were born: Frederick H. III and Lucretia Bagley.

Billie Jean was preceded in death by her grandparents, William Samuel and Ethelda Hillary Taylor; Louis and Bettie C. Adkins; parents, William Leslie and Marie B. Taylor; sisters, Audrey L. "Jay" Parham and Nola J. Martin; and her brother, Raymond W. Briggs, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her son, Frederick H. Bagley. III (Kristal); daughter, Lucretia; six grandchildren, Nikayla, Jayden, Freyah, Jaliah, Shayla and Lanniah; two brothers, Howard L. Barrett (Rosalind) and Gregory Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close relatives and friends. She also leaves special friends that were there for her, Cheryl Ford, Jerome Brown and Claretha Irby.

Billie Jean will be missed by all who knew her. Let us continue to remember her in laughter and one day realize, she did it her way!

Services will be held at 12 Noon, Friday, August 1, 2025, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. George L. Johnson, eulogist. The interment to follow in the Hassidiah Baptist Church Cemetery.

A family and friends visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the funeral establishment.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.