Shirley Campbell Ingram, 1936-2022

Shirley Campbell Ingram, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Hong Kong, died June 13, 2022, in Gainesville, Florida. She was 86.

Ingram was born May 8th, 1936, in Belle Glade, Florida, to the late Delba and Thelma Campbell. She graduated from Ocala High School in Ocala, Florida, and studied at Santa Fe Junior College.

Ingram met Lawrence “Larry” Ingram before she started the 10th grade, and they married after they both completed high school. In Gainesville, Ingram worked as a secretary for an insurance company, a clerical worker for a construction company and a typist for students.

While studying for his bachelor’s degree, Larry asked Shirley how she would feel about becoming a missionary. “I don’t know how,” Shirley responded and changed the subject. She wrote in her letter seeking missionary appointment that the Holy Spirit wouldn’t let her forget the question, and, over the next few years, the Holy Spirit worked in her heart.

In 1966, she attended a Girls’ Auxiliary (now Girls in Action and Acteens) party and listening to the missionaries thrilled and inspired her. It had been three years since Larry first mentioned his interest in missions. The Holy Spirit also continued to work in his heart too, and the couple turned their lives over to the Lord’s leading.

The Ingrams were appointed by the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board) to serve in Hong Kong. The couple retired after serving for 30 years.

Those close to Shirley shared she enjoyed crafting and had a keen eye for finding arts and crafts in Hong Kong’s shops and markets. Shirley was active in family gatherings and mission and church meetings.

Loved ones shared that Shirley “loved people and their stories, welcoming them into her life and home with generous hospitality and kindness.” A fellow emeritus remembered and spoke of the impact of a session during training for new missionaries where Shirley shared about the importance of home life on the mission field and creating a caring home environment for their children.

Shirley is survived by Larry, her husband of 66 years; three sons, Russell, Rodney (Arlene), and Steven (Frances); five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida.

Read an obituary here.