Confederacy’s last SC daughter passes in Turbeville

Beulah Marie Baggett Mims was 3 when solider father died

Thursday, March 21, 2013
JOHN D. RUSSELL, Morning News

TURBEVILLE – A true daughter of the Confederacy was laid to rest Thursday in Turbeville at Horse Branch Free Will Baptist Church.

Beulah Marie Baggett Mims was only 3 years old when her father, Confederate soldier John Jarrett Baggett, passed away. He served in Company One, 23rd Regiment, South Carolina Infantry, before becoming a preacher in the Hemingway area after the war.

Mims was the last known actual daughter of the Confederacy in South Carolina. Currently, there are only 15 documented real daughters nationwide, according to the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC).

“It’s history. It’s sad that she’s gone. To think her father fought for the Civil War is just amazing,” state UDC president Mary Armstrong said.

Mims was inducted into the Ellison Capers Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy almost four years ago. A small contingent of the chapter served as honorary pallbearers for the funeral service.

“It’s important to remember that many direct connections to history are leaving us. This particular kind of history is gone now,” Ellison Capers president Sylvia Pinkerman said.

The UDC is the oldest Southern heritage and patriotic organization made up of the lineal and collateral female descendants of the soldiers, sailors and statesman of the Confederate States of America. Originally established in 1896 as a service organization to aid Confederate soldiers, the UDC expanded its role to include educational, historical, memorial, benevolent and patriotic responsibilities.

Despite her significant historical connections, Mims, who was 96, will be remembered most by those that knew her for the way she led her life.

Those that spoke at the funeral all said Mims had a way of making everyone feel like they were her favorite.

“I’m sorry to tell you all but I’m the favorite,” the Rev. Theron B. Scott said from the podium during the service.

He was followed by two other pastors who told the attendees that in fact they were the favorites.

“Her faithfulness was a hallmark of inspiration for everyone here,” Scott said. “People would be afraid to miss prayer meetings because of her because they knew she’d be here and know they didn’t come. Her presence and prayers will be missed.”

Friend Karen Coker said she was glad she told Mims how much she appreciated and loved her when she was alive.

“When I was a young, married, ignorant woman, I didn’t know anything,” Coker said. “She helped guide me. The most outstanding thing about her was her love of God. She was in love with God.”

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