Lucy Coles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lucy Coles
Born	1865
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Virginia Union University
Occupation	American missionary
Known for	One of the first black women missionaries in Africa

Lucy Ann Henry Coles was an American missionary born in 1865. A missionary is someone who travels to another country to share their religious beliefs and help people. Lucy traveled to Liberia in Africa with her husband, John J. Coles.

She was one of the first Black women to become a missionary in Africa. After her husband passed away, she became the president of the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention. Her daughter was Elizabeth Coles Bouey.

Lucy grew up in Tennessee. She moved to Richmond, Virginia, when she was 10 years old. She attended public schools and later studied at Hartshorn Memorial College.

Early Life and Education

Lucy Ann Henry was born in 1865 in Richmond, Virginia. As a child, she had important responsibilities. She helped care for her younger brothers and sisters. She also looked after her mother, who had a disability.

Lucy attended the Ebenezer Baptist Church. This church was an important part of her life. As an adult, she became a teacher. This is where she met John J. Coles, who was a missionary planning to work in Africa.

Lucy studied at Hartshorn Memorial College. She completed a special program there to train missionaries. This training helped her prepare for her future work.

Missionary Work in Africa

On December 21, 1886, Lucy married John J. Coles. Soon after, in January 1887, the couple began their missionary journey. They traveled to Sierra Leone, another country in Africa.

They worked at a place called the Jundoo Mission Station. Lucy played a big role at the mission. She managed the mission house and helped care for children there. She also worked as a teacher.

Later, Lucy and her husband moved to Liberia. They worked at the Bendoo Baptist Mission. Lucy continued to help her husband with his work and teach children.

Challenges and Leadership

Being a missionary in Africa had its challenges. The tropical climate was very different from what they were used to. It was also hard to communicate with the churches back home in the United States.

Lucy and her husband were the last missionaries to work in a place called Grand Cape Mount. They also faced difficulties in their relationships with the local Vai people.

In 1895, Lucy and John returned to the U.S. because John became very ill. Sadly, her husband passed away. After his death, Lucy took on a new leadership role. She became the president of the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention. She finished the term her husband had started.