WACO, Texas (BP)–Deborah Wall McCord, a Southern Baptist missionary to South Korea, died of cancer Oct. 11, 1998, in Rockville, Va. She was 45.
A native of Atlanta, McCord and her husband, Steve, were appointed missionaries to Korea in 1981 by the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. She served as a church and home outreach worker in Taejon and Seoul until 1997, when her husband was named administrative associate director for IMB work in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
The family returned to the United States in April 1998 after she was diagnosed with cancer. In August they accepted a position as missionaries in residence at the board’s Missionary Learning Center in Rockville.
McCord’s faith in the face of her impending death touched everyone around her, said John Ingouf, who helps administer IMB work in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
“During her recent months of illness, Debbie encouraged us all as she faithfully expressed a positive attitude and demonstrated her firm faith in her Lord,” Ingouf said. “Her calm, sweet spirit was an inspiration. She ministered to co-workers and friends up to the day before she went to be with the Lord.”
A graduate of Dallas Baptist College, she worked as a staff member at Glorieta (N.M.) Conference Center and served as a missionary journeyman in Taejon, South Korea, where she taught mathematics at Korea Christian Academy from 1974-76. Prior to missionary appointment, she taught mathematics in Texas schools at the junior- and senior-high levels.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Mindy; a son, Matthew; and her parents, Morris and Dora Wall of Waco, Texas.
Memorials may be sent to the Deborah McCord Memorial Fund, International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230.
