In memoriam: Sally Conley, 1928-2023

Sally Conley, 1928-2023
IMB Photo

Sally Conley, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Kenya, died May 5, 2023. She was 84.

She was born December 9, 1928, in Marquez, Texas, to Dermont and Thelma Lucas. She graduated from Sabine High School in Gladewater, Texas, and studied at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida,
Kilgore Junior College in Kilgore, Texas, Stetson University Extension in DeLand, Florida, and the Seminary Extension Department, Nashville, Tennessee.

On Feb. 22, 1953, she married Jack Conley. After his military service was over, the couple followed God’s call into ministry.

“During a School of Missions … Jack had a renewing of his call to the mission field. I felt this in the same way I felt his call to the ministry. My prayer was for guidance for our life of service … “I felt now it was my move to make public that I felt in accordance with him,” Sally wrote.

She made the choice to continue some of her education in order to seek missionary appointment.

In 1964, the Foreign Mission Board (now, the International Mission Board) appointed Jack and Sally missionaries to East Africa. The couple served with the FMB for 24 years.

She lived in Tanzania and Kenya for 24 years and retired in Hideaway, Texas, in 1989. Sally was a church member at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, but also attended other churches in the area, Mt. Sylvan Baptist Church and Hideaway Community Church. She was a part of the lady’s Bible club and the Garden Club.

Her obituary describes her as a “proud pastor’s wife and loved being a missionary.”

Sally is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Conley.

She is survived by her children Elizabeth Strong (Larry), Carolyn McFarlin (Randy), Marilyn McKain (David); nine grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held May 12 at Mt. Sylvan Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas.

Read an obituary here.