Lucy Elizabeth Wagner

Lucy Elizabeth Wagner, 93, of Independence, MO, passed away on June 21, 2021, at the Baptist Home in Chillicothe, MO. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 28, 2021 at the Dayton Cemetery near Dayton, MO. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Abundant Life Church, formerly Immanuel Baptist Church, 112 West 23rd St S, Independence, MO 64055. She was born February 21, 1928, to her parents Alma Chandler Wagner and Ross Wagner near Garden City, Missouri, attended a rural grade school, and graduated from Garden City High School. Following graduation from Central Missouri State College she taught in Adrian Missouri High School one year, and then entered the Woman’s Missionary Union training school and graduated with an M.R.E. degree. After working at the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home at Pattonville, MO, (now Bridgeton) as a caseworker for two years, she was appointed as an evangelistic missionary to South Korea. She arrived there in October, 1955 and after two years of language study, began work in local churches and with the newly-organized Korea Woman’s Missionary Union. She continued to serve with the Korea W.M.U. and to work with mission churches. She lived in Seoul but travelled throughout the country to meet with women’s groups and to train W.M.U. leaders. It was her privilege to serve for 38 years as a Southern Baptist missionary until 1993 when she returned to America and retired in 1994. She became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church (presently called Abundant Life) and served in many ways in church leadership as bible teacher, W.M.U leader and mission leader. She also served on the Missouri Woman’s Missionary Union Executive Board as Prayer Advocate. Lucy also participated in the Kansas City Korean Baptist Church encouraging members and leading in worship when needed. She had a deep love for the Korean people. She is survived by nieces Jo Ann Ruckel and Nancy Jane Fontaine, nephew George Ruckel and cousins Nancy White, Jan Gray, Olivia Wakefield and Emily Wagner. Memorial donations may be made to WMU Foundation, Vision Fund, 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)