Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union History Time Line
1878 – May,
Nashville TN, SBC
Convention,
1879
1880
1881
1883
1885
1886
1887
1888
1890
1894
1896
1897
1899
1901
1903
1903
1904
1907
1907
1909
1910
1911
Foreign Mission Board secretary, D.H. Tupper appointed a Central Committee of Baptist
Women to “interest ladies in the work of giving the gospel to the heathen”, led in
Mississippi by Mrs. John L. Johnson, Sr president and Mrs. A.J. Quinche, secretary, both of
Oxford (plus 7 others, “Covered Foundations,” p. 8)
First Woman’s Meeting held at Grenada FBC, November 27 (15 societies reported 100
members and gifts of $116.90)
The Baptist Record printed reports of the Mississippi Central Committee
 Mrs. Janie Lowrey Sanford sent as missionary to the Chinese in San Francisco CA
 Mrs. Mattie J. Nelson sent as missionary to New Orleans LA
 The plan of appointing associational vice-presidents inaugurated.
 Mrs. Ratliff introduced idea of building ministerial cottages at Mississippi College
Central Committee (now enlarged to 15 members) became a standing committee of the
Mississippi Baptist Convention
 First Sunbeam Band in Mississippi organized in Clinton by Mrs B.D. Gray.
 Julia Toy Johnson (Mrs. J.L., Sr) and Mrs A.J. Quinche resigned, convinced that the
Central Committee should reside in the same town as the Convention Board which was
moving from Oxford to Jackson.
 Mrs. A.H. Longino became president and Mrs Minnie C. Dameron the secretary.
 The Central Committee elected its officers for the first time.
 Mrs Adelia M. Hillman elected president in July meeting at Oxford
 Mrs Adelia Hillman (Dr. Walter Hillman) and Mrs. S.A.E. Baley represented Mississippi’s
women at the Southern Baptist Convention in Richmond VA in May, to vote on general
organization of Woman’s Mission Societies, Auxiliary to the SBC.
 Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union joined the Southwide WMU, July 18th
 Mrs. Mattie J. Nelson became the first Field Secretary in Mississippi
National organization name change to Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), Auxiliary to
SBC. (previously, ‘Societies’ where ‘Union’)
Mrs. A.J. Aven (Mary) having urged work among young women, was elected president at
the August meeting in Winona, with Mrs Rebecca P. Sproles, the secretary.
 Sunbeams adopted by Woman’s Missionary Union
 Superintendent of “Band Work” elected in Mississippi: Lulie Baley, granddaughter of
Mrs S.A.E. Baley (one of two delegates to WMU organizational meeting in VA in 1888)
Mrs. J.K. Pace elected president in July at Grenada meeting, with Mrs A.J. Aven, secretary
 Central Committee headquarters moved from Jackson to Meridian.
 Mrs. J.W. Bozeman elected president in July at Aberdeen meeting, with Mrs. W.R.
Woods, secretary (serving until the vote to employ M.M. Lackey in 1912)
Mrs. J.A. Hackett elected president in July at McComb meeting
 State Mission Day of Prayer inaugurated, yielding a $294.38 offering.
 WMU Convention elected officers for the Annual Meeting
National Week of Self-Denial for Home Missions (begun in 1895) becomes Week of
Prayer and Self-Denial (later, Week of Prayer)
Constitution adopted and printed in Minutes
Young Woman’s Auxiliary (YWA) is formed.
First Young Woman’s Auxiliary launched with Mrs Martin Ball of Winona elected first
State Superintendent for Mississippi (Hearts the Lord Opened, p.105)
 The name “Personal Service” applied to local mission work
 The Order of Royal Ambassadors (RA) began under direction and leadership of WMU
Institutes of instruction held
 Central Committee headquarters moved from Meridian to Jackson and the Standard of
Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union History Time Line
1912
1913
1913-14
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1919
1920
1924
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1934
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1940
1941
1942
1943
Excellence, a plan of work for church WMU, was adopted.
 College Correspondent elected
 Constitution revised under presidency of Mrs W.A. McComb
 Margaret McRae Lackey became first employed Corresponding Secretary of MS, with
Mrs. George W. Riley serving as president
Southwide WMU Jubilate celebration
National organization, Girls Auxiliary (GA) is formed, and name given in 1914.
State divided into four districts with four vice presidents, under presidency of Mrs George
W. Riley
 Frances Traylor elected as the first employed young people’s leader, responsible for
Sunbeams, GAs, RAs, and YWAs.
 Report on “Woman’s Work” presented by Miss Lackey to Mississippi Baptist Convention
on June 18-20 at New Albany
 “Auxiliary Programs” printed for young people
 Mrs A.J. Aven re-elected president, beginning a service of 18 years.
State Mission “Week of Prayer” observed for the first time
WMU Convention met separate from the Mississippi Baptist Convention on June 18-20 at
New Albany
Constitution revised and state divided into six districts, under presidency of Mrs A.J. Aven
“Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for China” first designated; renamed in 1926, when “for
China” was removed
White Cross work in Mississippi mentioned the first time & supplies sent to the Kathleen
Mallory Hospital in China
First full-time Field Worker employed
Ruby Anniversary of the Southwide Union celebrated
First Girls Auxiliary (GA) House Party at Clarke College (district)
 First statewide GA House Party held at Woman’s College
 Constitution revised, state divided into eight districts
Frances Traylor became Executive Secretary of Mississippi WMU.
Institutes begun for the study of the Year Book
Offering for Home Missions renamed, “Annie W. Armstrong Offering”
 Officers Guide printed
 Clinics for Associational and District Officers held, one in each district
 Mrs. Ned Rice elected president, serving until 1943
 5,000 Club organized (payment of Mississippi Baptist debts)
 Young People’s leader changed Young People’s Secretary
 Young People’s Camp program begun
In celebration of the Sunbeam Band Golden Jubilee, a goal of 50 new organizations was
set and reached in Mississippi
Definite objectives set in the State Mission Week of Prayer offering
 State Mission Week of Prayer offering named Margaret Lackey State Offering (MLSMO)
 Title Corresponding Secretary changed to Executive Secretary
 Camp Advisory Committee appointed
 RA Secretary elected in cooperation with Alabama and South Carolina
Camp Committee appointed to study plans for future camp program resulting in
recommendation for a permanent location and designation of funds toward a program
be made each year, through MLSMO
WMU Convention voted to hold subsequent conventions in Jackson
 Personal Service changed to Community Missions
Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union History Time Line
1944, December
1945
1946
1947, April
1948
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1957
1958
1959
1961
1963
1964
1965
 Mrs. J.H. Street elected president at the April meeting in Jackson.
Edwina Robinson selected as Executive Secretary of Mississippi WMU, with Mrs. Webb
Brame as president one year, then Mrs Wilma B. Sledge serving 1946-1952
 WMU Convention not held due to travel restrictions imposed by WWII
 Lillian Rose employed to work among women and young people of her own Negro race
 WMU Camp Building Committee appointed
Nell Taylor became Young People’s Secretary (a title changed to Youth Secretary, 1956),
serving until summer of 1957 (becoming dean of Women at Louisiana College)
Camp Garaywa opened, as the dedication was held during the WMU Convention
State Federation of Business Woman’s Circles organized and Almarine Brown was elected
as the first chairman
Minutes of 1950 MS WMU Convention state $9000 given to assist in purchase of a
national headquarters building in Birmingham.
 WMU Special Day inaugurated on May 7 with a goal of $10,000, with half designated to
the national headquarters purchase.
 Almarine Brown succeeds Mrs Wilma Sledge as state president.
 Intensive program of Leadership Training promoted
 Diamond Jubilee (75th Anniversary)
 State YWA Council organized
 First state RA Congress held
MS Executive Committee voted (July 1st) to transfer RA promotion and operation to
Brotherhood Department (effective November 1)
 Willa Dean Freeman of North Carolina was hired as the first GA Director of MS WMU.
 Royal Ambassadors program transferred to the Brotherhood
 June: Marjean Patterson (Georgia) was secured as MS WMU’s first solely YWA Director
 October: Frances Smira (Mrs. Robert) of Jackson MS was chosen as part-time Sunbeam
Band Director of the MS WMU.
Jimmie Lou Lyons (Mrs. J.T.) was elected MS WMU president.
 Mississippian Waudine Storey, having served as educational director in MS and SC
churches, joined the MS WMU staff as full-time Director of Sunbeam Band work.
 MS WMU district representatives, forming the WMU Executive Board increased from
eight to eleven districts, totaling 22 presidents and vice-presidents.
Sarah Holmes, a Texan served as interim GA Director upon Ms. Freeman’s return to home
state, North Carolina; Alabamian, Ruth Womack was elected as GA Director of MS WMU
in August, leaving a staff position at Poplar Springs BC, Meridian MS
 Following the Southern Baptist Convention in Kansas City, 8 MS WMU staff and board
members with one missionary, Mary Frank Kirkpatrick, conducted four area-wide mission
leadership training meetings in ‘Big Sky Country’ Montana, through Special Day funding.
 Mississippi WMU organizations enrollment reached an all-time record of 64,497
members in the same year Elizabeth King Hannah (Mrs. W.E.) became president.
 Ruth Little of Union County MS elected as MS WMU GA Director as Ms. Womack was
hired to teach at Mississippi College
 Nettie Ree Traylor, Executive Assistant to Miss Ed, retired from 36 years of serving with
her aunt, Frances Traylor, and both Margaret Lackey, and Edwina Robinson.
Addition of WMS Director position, resulted in Marjean Patterson taking it and Virginia
Johnson, daughter of M/M Elton Johnson (SBC missionaries to Brazil), was elected to
YWA Director position
Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union History Time Line
1968
1969
1970
1970
1971
1972, January
1973
1974, March
1975, November
1977, December
1979
1980
1983
 National WMU restructuring from ‘circles’ to groups led to 8% drop in membership, yet
3702 Mississippi women from 580 churches received Church Study Course Credit for the
study of new manuals.
 Ruth Little resigned in the fall to become the bride of Dr. Paul Aiken & serve in Atlanta
GA
 Virginia Johnson resigned to wed Rev Ovis Fairley & serve in Montana.
 Mae Lee May (Mrs Vernon) was elected MS WMU president.
 Frances Shaw of Texas became Director of Baptist Young Women on the MS staff
Kaye Johnson, also of Texas, filled the position of WMU Associate (Youth), a title soon
changed to Director of Acteens
 MBCB approved recommendation of the nomination of Miss Marjean Patterson as Miss
Ed’s successor upon her approaching retirement.
 The Dining Hall at Garaywa was destroyed by fire.
Names of organizations and their magazines changed…
Sunbeam Band became Mission Friends, with START and SHARE publications; Girls’
Auxiliary became Girls in Action, and Tell (1953) was replaced with GA AWARE and GA
Discovery; YWA became Acteens, and ACCENT replaced The Window (1929); and Baptist
Young Women with magazine, Contempo, then created for women ages 18-29; Woman’s
Missionary Society (WMS) changed to Baptist Women with Royal Service remaining the
official magazine and Demension was created for WMU officers.
 Miss Edwina Robinson officially retired as MS WMU Executive Secretary-Treasurer and a
celebration was held at the 92nd WMU Annual Meeting at Calvary Baptist Church, Jackson
where announcement was made for the new Garaywa Dining Hall to be named for her
mother, Prudie Robinson
 Marjean Patterson became the fourth Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MS WMU
 Fran Pickett was hired as Garaywa’s first Camp Manager/Financial Secretary.
WMU Executive Board honored “Miss Ed” by naming the WMU offering, the Edwina
Robinson Special Day Offering
 Ethel McKeithen, pres. MBREA, was elected Baptist Women Director on MS WMU staff
 June: Marilyn Hopkins of Albuquerque NM, was secured as Acteens Director, MS WMU
 5737, a record number of guests at Garaywa was recorded, including large groups that
might have gone to Gulfshore Baptist Assembly had it been restored from the destruction
of hurricane Camille (August, 1969)
Frances Turner Smira (Mrs Robert V.), employed as WMU director of Jackson FBC,
became MS WMU president, and tenure changed from a six-year limit, to five.
Mrs Charles Tyler of Collins, and Mrs Vernon May of Louisville became the first two
female board members to Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, under Dr. Earl Kelly’s
initiative to include WMU under MBCB Program Director jurisdiction, evaluating its nine
staff members in the same manner as all others funded by Cooperative Progam.
Major renovation project began at Camp Garaywa to give a facelift, supply central heat
and air to the main buildings, and overhaul the bathhouses at a cost of $156,000 (while
the average camper cost was $40)
Pattie Tate Dent (Mrs Robert) became MS WMU president, serving until 1984.
Dr. Earl Kelly, MBCB executive director-treasurer, petitioned WMU to create a history of
MS Baptists in a needlepoint tapestry to hang in the MBCB lobby until 1995, when the
building was redecorated on all floors. (The tapestry was moved to the MBCB Chapel until
2007, then to Garaywa Activities Building.)
Baptist Nursing FellowshipSM begun by WMU
Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union History Time Line
1996
 January: MS Executive Board recommended the building of a multi-purpose building at
Garaywa. Ground-breaking held in August as Miss Ed led in a prayer of dedication.
 Ewilda Trenor Fancher (Mrs James) elected to MS WMU president, serving until 1989.
 May: WMU, SBC moved into their new building at 100 Missionary Ridge in Birmingham
AL, which featured an atrium lobby off the Board Room (auditorium) provided by MS
WMU donations totaling $47,000, and was named Patterson Porch, honoring Marjean.
 Activities Building Dedication at Garaywa, with ‘Wilda Fancher, Coffeeville, state WMU
president, presiding. WMU Staff present included Marjean Patterson, Diane P. Smith and
Patricia Simmons, plus Fran Pickett, Camp Manager.
 Piano for Garaywa’s Activities Building donated by Pattie Dent (MS WMU state
president 1979-1984) in memory of her husband, Robert.
Baptist Nursing Fellowship of MS was formed, with Ashley McCaleb WMU staff liaison
and Pat White (Reeves), president; Sept, 1987, 99 members had formed 3 Chapters.
Marion Fosberg served as the second state president for BNF of MS.
 Bob Dent, son of Pattie and the late Robert Dent, became manager of Camp Garaywa.
 Joan Roehl Tyler (Mrs. Charles) became MS WMU president; sadly her husband, a family
physician in Collins, died during her four-year term.
Mississippi partnered with Home Mission Board and seven state conventions in the
Mississippi River Ministry (ongoing today)
 Christian Women’s Job Corps® idea born
 Establishment of Project HELPSM
 Sandra Nobles Nash (Mrs. Ben) succeeded Joan Tyler Michel (Mrs. Red) as MS WMU
state president, until 1997.
 Vicki McCall became MS BNF president and served until 1995.
 MS WMU purchased a motor home van for volunteer usage with Disaster Relief.
Mary Lou Davis Memorial Fund established to provide financial help to student nurses
wanting to serve on medical missions trips, following Mrs. Davis’ final battle with cancer.
Coed organizations become official: Children in ActionSM, Youth on MissionSM, and Adults
on MissionSM; Royal Service and Contempo magazines end; Missions Mosaic begins
April 22, the first meeting of MS Missionary Parents Fellowship (MMPF) was held, with
Darlene Tenney as Chairperson and Ashley McCaleb staff liaison, until retirement in 1995.
Edna Ellison became MS WMU staff liaison for BNF of MS and MMPF, serving until 1998.
WorldCraftsSM is born
1997
WMU accepts Pure Water, Pure LoveSM ministry from Bortherhood Commission
1997
 National WMU sponsored the first Certification Training for Christian Women’s Job
Corps® (CWJC) in August, with MS having 6 men and women complete the course. Under
leadership of Linda Tate, the first MS site was formed in Rankin county and a Mentor
Training held by October.
 Rebecca Henson Williams (Mrs. Billy) became MS WMU president and served until
2001.
 Marjean Patterson retired in August, and Melinda “Kay” Cassibry became MS WMU’s
fifth executive director, leaving the same position in Louisiana WMU.
 BNF membership peaked at 300.
 A second CWJC site was formed by Tupelo FBC, with Julie Busby as director and named
Northeast Mississippi CWJC (the oldest continuing site in MS).
 Macedonian Call of Mississippi, non-profit corporation under the laws of the state, was
formed, led by Tom Hearon,Litera and with its first automobile donation by Pattie Dent.
1984
1985
1986, January
1987-89
1989
1992
1993
1993
1994
1995
1995
1998
Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union History Time Line
1999
2000
2000-2001
2001
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
 Patterson Place lodge at Garaywa was completed and dedicated on March 17, after
nearly a decade from vision to reality , through three state presidents and in-depth
studies by various committees (ref. Embracing God’s Plan, pgs 14-20)
 Mary Holyfield, state BNF president 1997-99, coordinated effort for BNF to host a
portion of the Gospel Tent at the MS State Fair in Jackson for the first time.
 Robin Keels became MS WMU staff liaison for BNF of MS, serving until 2003
MS WMU sponsored the MK Re-Entry Retreat at Garaywa, the second weekend in
August; MMPF contributed just over $1500 to purchase backpacks for about 60
attendees, and celebrated their 5th Anniversary in the fall. WMU members collected
school and dorm supplies to fill the backpacks and assist attendees with expenses.
“Crosswalk” Coed Youth Mission emphasis: as teens carried full-sized cross from town to
town, crossing Mississippi in all directions, they held events, worshipped and conducted
missions projects, bringing a Jesus spirit into communities
 Roddy Reed began his position as manager for Camp Garaywa on January 2nd.
 Betty Waldron Davis (Mrs. Charles – AMD in Pike Baptist Association) elected president.
 GA Missions Madness regional events were initiated
 A Literacy Missions Task Force was formed with first certified leaders as members:
Selena Bedwell, Cindy Heimbach, Paula Smith, and Earlene Walker (ESL) with Juanita
Schilling Firmin (ARW) and Kathy Burns (TCY).
 First State Literacy Missions/Ministries Celebration and Workshop was held at Garaywa
on October 18-20.
MissionsFESTSM and FamilyFESTSM are begun
 Paula Smith, former IMB missionary to Uraguay, became WMU Consultant for Literacy
& Language (January).
 Sandra Nash was contracted to the position of Statewide Coordinator for CWJC.
 David Michel hired Debbie Sills to promote missions through MLSMO and increased the
goal, as he introduced the two forces of missions: Awareness & Mobilization
 April 19, the first National MPF meeting held at Garaywa with 160 representatives from
10 states. (ref. Embracing God’s Plan, pgs 54)
 September 20, MMPF Scholarship Committee with vote to approve, set the corpus for
an MMPF Scholarship minimum of $25,000, managed by MS Baptist Foundation (MBF)
 $1.8 million debt for Patterson Place was realized by April; a second Long-Range Camp
Committee was formed to plan future improvements, at the request of Roddy Reed
 MBCB purchased a buffer zone around Garaywa of 26.8 acres
 MS WMU celebrates 125th Anniversary of its forming
 BNF of MS liaison position shifted to Tammy Anderson on the WMU staff
 MissionsNow, a coed event for teens, was introduced to replace MAC every third year.
 MLSMO goal was set at $1,500,000 and a record offering was received: $1,209,643.60
 July 19th, MS WMU Executive Board changed the name of the state endowment to
honor the fifth year as executive director and titled The Kay Cassibry Endowment for the
Future of Mississippi WMU
 Manager’s house completed at Garaywa - the work of expert volunteers in conjunction
with the general contractor, enabled to fund through the Reserve Account with no debt.
 Fran Pickett Camp Scholarship established, to honor the former manager
 Donna Daughdrill Swarts (Mrs Tommy) became president at the 130th Annual Meeting,
held at Biloxi FBC the 8th – 9th of April.
 Katrina (August 29) left 80% of MS without power; Kay Cassibry served as supervisor for
Disaster Relief unit at Pascagoula FBC; WMU staff served at Biloxi FBC, Gautier, North
Carrollton and Garaywa, which became a hub for work crews, including Entergy; D.R.
Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union History Time Line
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
reported serving 12,000 meals/day, seeing 200-300 patients/day and distributing water
to approximately 500 vehicles/day
 MLSMO goal set at 1.8 million; Gifts totaled over $1,757,000 in spite of hurricane
Katrina; for the 8th consecutive year MS ranked 1st in charitable giving per capita.
At AMC (April), Daniel Hall of the MS Baptist Foundation informed members of The Rene
Sugg and Pat Alford Endowment, newly established to honor these literacy pioneers, and
enable literacy missions to continue in our state.
 Highlights of the past 60 years of Garaywa were featured on a DVD titled, “We’ve a
Story to Tell to the Nations” at Annual Missions Celebration. (over 121,000 campers with
over 5000 professions of faith, and guests totaling about 350,000 have visited Garaywa)
 AMC and Missions Leadership Training was combined for the first time at Madison First
Baptist Church, April 20-21.
 At the February WMU Executive Board meeting, it was voted to change the name of
Camp Garaywa to Garaywa Camp and Conference Center, referred to as Garaywa; MBCB
Executive Board voted to give $500,000 for the expansion of the Dining Hall at Garaywa.
 A portion of Special Day funds for WMU Assistance provided MS Acteens to conduct a
GA Camp in Alaska.
 MS WMU and Men’s Ministry conducted a Family Fest on the Gulf Coast
 Mississippi Acteens Convention (MAC) was revamped and retitled to IGNITE!
 The Kay Cassibry Endowment for the Future of Mississippi WMU reached the $100,000
goal by WMU members’ donations honoring Kay’s 10th Anniversary as executive director.
 Children’s Ministry Day was introduced by WMU, SBC and several MS groups joined in
 Sharon Reece Neff (Mrs Park) of Arcola was elected president at the Annual Meeting
held at Garaywa in May.
 IMB restructured work areas, changing from ‘regions’ to ‘affinity groups.’
 National WMU sponsored FamilyFEST at Natchez, with cooperation of MS WMU, Men’s
Ministry and Adams Baptist Association, where over 250 volunteers ministered to the city
 Literacy Missions celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the state conference held July 1618th at Crossgates Church in Brandon.
 Northeast Mississippi CWJC celebrated its 10th Anniversary and was published in the
Tupelo Daily Journal. A Regional Training was held at Garaywa in August as the total sites
in MS rose to 12, with 4 potential sites planned.
 Letitia Theodore, Pinebelt CWJC client, was Sybil Bently Dove Award recipient and Doris
Knight of Merea Ministry, Inc (Batesville CWJC) received The National Site Award
 MS WMU replaced its Resource Book with a Resource CD
 Family Missions Day events were initiated in three locations: Cleveland, West Point, and
Hattiesburg
 Over 7500 Buckets of Hope filled and sent to Haiti, following January 12th earthquake
 Sunday, June 27, was declared a Day of Prayer by Gov. Haley Barbour in light of the BP
oil spill and its effect on our Gulf Coast.
 Gioconda Jimenez became the first president of Hispanic WMU of Mississippi
 Online training for missions leaders offered on state website: www.mbcb.org/wmu
 April 15th a tornado hit Clinton, with considerable damage to Garaywa, including loss of
over 50 trees.
 225 MS Acteens and leaders attended BLUME! (formally NAC) July 13-16, held in
Orlando FL with MS Acteens panelist, Taylor Townsend, serving as National panelist.
 MS Mid-Delta Family Fest held in Cleveland, Greenwood and Indianola on July 20-24
 Sandra Nash celebrated 10th Anniversary as statewide Coordinator of CWJC/CMJC
 Royal Ambassadors and Challengers return to National WMU
Mississippi Woman’s Missionary Union History Time Line
2013
2013-14
2014
2014
2015
 Blue Heart Campaign was begun by Taylor Townsend for her service project as Miss
Mississippi College, promoting awareness of Human Exploitation.
 NAMB handed all Literacy ministry responsibility to the state conventions and the
National Literacy Mission Partnership was created with MS joining and Paula Smith
serving on the NLMP Board.
 Jessica Morrison served as Interim Summer Camp Director then hired to the full-time
position.
 Philadelphia CWJC, Sandi Lewis coordinator, received The National Site Award and
Bobbi Leath, participant of CWJC of Rankin county, received the Sybil Bentley Dove
Award, making MS the fourth state to receive both in the same year.
 A coed Day Camp was held July 1-3 at Garaywa, bringing RAs back to Garaywa for the
first time in decades.
 Janet Green (Mrs. Donald) was elected MS WMU president during Annual Meeting at
Brandon Baptist Church in August.
 Sandra Nash stepped down as statewide coordinator for CWJC/CMJC.
 After 15 years as WMU Executive Director, Kay Cassibry retired December 2013.
Marion Duncan, chaired the Search Committee that consisted of nine other ladies from
each area of the state.
 MS WMU began their 135th Anniversary celebration as National WMU kicked off their
125th Anniversary year.
 CWJC/CMJC® implemented regions in January, with a Leadership Team consisting of
Cathy Davis (Northeast), Sherry Williamson (Northwest & Delta), Velvet Johnston
(Central), Linda Donnell (Southern), and Roy Callahan (CMJC, statewide).
 Cindy Heimbach of Grenada, became the volunteer statewide coordinator for Literacy
Missions in Mississippi.
 In March, former state WMU president, Rebecca Williams began serving as Interim
Executive Director of MS WMU.
 WMU hosted the national MK Re-entry Retreat at Garaywa, July 28th - Aug 1st for 72
college freshmen. WMU groups collected over $20,000 for dorm items and gift cards;
IMB sent 14 facilitators & about 50 Mississippians volunteered to make it a great week.
 State WMU staff and officers were represented at the WMU, SBC Annual Meeting and
Historical Bus Tour in Baltimore Maryland in June.
 100th Birthday of GA: Celebrations included national kick off at June Annual Meeting,
while MS celebrated at August AMC held at Highland Colony Baptist Church, Madison MS.
 MS WMU Resource Book/CD brought back by popular demand, at Equipping Leaders
(formerly A.M.L.T. or Associational Missions Leadership Training).
 Dr. Cynthia Malone Townsend was voted into office with a new title of Executive
Director-Treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union and Women’s Ministries of Mississippi.
 MS Missionary Parents Fellowship celebrates their 20th Anniversary.
Blue background cells indicate National WMU milestones.