ASCENSION PARISH — Dustin Bagwell, a beloved educator and principal, is being remembered for his kindness, leadership, and deep connections within the community. More than a month since his unexpected death, the Ascension Parish community is rallying around Dustin’s wife Nathalie.
the wake of his sudden passing, believed to be heart-related, Nathalie expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, students, and colleagues.
GOFUNDME FOR THE BAGWELL FAMILY
“He was a gift from God, a loving, beautiful, supportive, Godly man whom I cherished deeply. I am at a loss for words,” Nathalie told UWK. “I am grateful for the love, support, and prayers that have been sent my way during this difficult time. The outpouring of positivity and kindness has been overwhelming.”
During a memorial service at the school, Nathalie addressed those gathered with moving words: “I’ve been with him every step of the way. I’ve heard all of your testimonies. I just want you to know that all of these things that each of you shared when you spoke with him, didn’t fall on deaf ears.”
Dustin is survived by his two daughters, Grace and Emma, and leaves behind a lasting legacy of compassion and leadership. As principal of Ascension Christian School, a non-denominational Pre-K through 12th-grade institution, he was admired by students, parents, and staff alike. His connection to students was personal and genuine, as one seventh-grader shared, “He just hugged me that morning, and he had just met me. I felt so special.”
SUPPORT THE BAGWELL FAMILY: DONATE ON GOFUNDME
Becoming Principal
Bagwell’s journey to becoming a principal was one of dedication. A graduate of the University of Mississippi and a law degree holder from Samford University, he later transitioned into education. Starting as a civics teacher, his natural leadership led him to become the school’s principal.
Amy Kleinpeter, a colleague, shared a cherished memory and photo: “This was Dustin photobombing my daughter, Camille and classmate Hayden at their graduation in 2020. He was a teacher and principal to my children. He was my leader and co-worker as well. He led with passion and dedication to create an environment where his students and teachers strive to achieve his expectations.”
Heartfelt stories have been shared by parents, students, and colleagues alike on his online memorial page. Ciara Davis, a parent at the school, wrote, “Mr. Bagwell, you were truly God-sent. From the moment I enrolled my son after losing everything to Hurricane Ida, you welcomed our family and made our lives less stressful. I’ll never forget you led us in prayer before and after our interview—that’s when I knew this was the right place for my son.”
Despite the outpouring of support, Nathalie’s grief is profound, having suffered another recent loss.
Nathalie: Grief is no stranger
In February 2023, Nathalie lost her sister, Jeanne McAllister, who had dedicated her life to searching for her niece, Crystal Dupuis Grebinger, missing since 2013. Nathalie shared that her sister, Jeanne, was “a firecracker” who “left a sparkle with everyone she encountered.”
Jeanne passed away without ever finding her niece.
In 2018, then-Governor John Bel Edwards proclaimed Missing Persons Day in Louisiana in honor of Crystal.
Help the Bagwell Family
A GoFundMe has been established to help Mr. Bagwell’s wife, Nathalie, as she faces the financial burden of transitioning to a single-income household.
Download the Unfiltered with Kiran app from the Apple App Store and Google Play to stay updated on the latest news across the Capital area.
Help support UWK and their mission to continue providing you “The News You Deserve. Unfiltered.” Sign up to become a monthly patron via Patreon.
