Janis Maude Markham Bagby, 97, Devoted Mother and Longtime St. Louis
Resident
Janis Maude Markham Bagby, a devoted mother, dedicated worker, and longtime resident of St.
Louis County, passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on 03/11/2025.

Born February 13, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the eldest daughter of Charles Raymond
Markham and Mary Lucille Banks. She grew up alongside her beloved sister, Monica Ballard,
and spent much of her early life in Piedmont and Jefferson City, Missouri, where she graduated
from high school.

In 1945, she married Paul Duncan Bagby, and together they built a family, moving from Mt.
Vernon, Illinois, to Huntington, West Virginia, before settling in St. Louis County, first in
Ferguson and later in Berkeley. Their marriage was tragically cut short with Paul’s passing in
1957, leaving Janis to raise their three children on her own.

With determination and resilience, Janis provided for her family, working as a teller at the Bank
of Ferguson, a bookkeeper at Fischers of Florissant Department Store, and later as a back-office
clerk at Sears, where she remained until her retirement in 1993. Despite financial challenges, one
of her proudest achievements was purchasing and fully paying off her family home on
Georgeland Avenue in Berkeley—a testament to her unwavering independence.

Janis was known for her sharp wit, strong will, and deep devotion to her family. Her children
fondly recall that there was a right way, a wrong way, and Mom’s way—a philosophy she lived
by with confidence. She made every Christmas, birthday, and Thanksgiving special, ensuring her
family always had a warm and welcoming home, even through difficult times. Summers spent in
Piedmont, Missouri, at her mother’s house were among her most cherished traditions.

A woman of deep faith, Janis was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Ferguson for
nearly 70 years. Even in her later years, when she resided at Westchester House, church deacon
Steve Hancock continued to visit, a reflection of the lasting bonds she formed through her faith
and community.

She preceded in death by her stepson Jack Deneen Bagby and her daughter Mary Janis Bagby.
She is survived by her daughter Terrie and son Mark as well as her nine grandchildren, fifteen
great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, who carry on her legacy of strength and
resilience:

 Jack Deneen Bagby’s children (wife Audrey): Deneen Lins (deceased) and Kimberly
Lubniewski.
 Terrie Paulette Petrikin’s children: Chris Petrikin (children Nico & Tony), Tim Petrikin
(children Bevan & Mathew his son Tate), and Joshua Petrikin (children Annika & Soren).
 Mark Aubrey Bagby’s children (wife Kandie): Michelle Ann Smith (children Quiez,
Karalina & Xander), Micah Ryan Bagby (children Elias & Bella), Joshua Geric Bagby,
and Jessica Gabrielle Bagby (child Luna).
 Mary Janis Mallios’s children: Jason Mallios (children Isis & Nicholas) and Jessica
Mallios-Schreiber (child Cora).

Janis also shared a lifelong friendship with Jean Caimi, whom she met in 1957 while working at
the Bank of Ferguson. Their bond endured for over half a century, with Jean now residing in
Titusville, Florida.

As the longest-living member of her family, Janis embodied resilience, warmth, and an
unwavering love for those around her.

Her family finds comfort in 2 Corinthians 5:8:
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the
Lord.” Psalms 16:11: “In thy presence is fulness of joy…and pleasures forevermore.”

A celebration of her life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages
donations to First Baptist Church of Ferguson or a charity of choice in her honor.