Annie Thomas (1915) and Mary Spooner (1915)

The first missionaries to leave Toccoa Falls College for the mission field were Annie Thomas and Mary Spooner.

On February 13, 1919, Annie sailed for Nicaragua. In the capital of Managua, she found the new converts "scattered abroad as sheep without a shepherd," previous missionaries having died or been forced to return home because of poor health. A few months later, one of her co-workers died, leaving Annie and another new missionary to continue the work of evangelism.

In spite of these setbacks, the mission work grew. A small Sunday school group grew to 200, and outstations were established. Many people were converted, and a chapel seating 400 was build. Schools were established for the Protestant children, and young people were trained as Christian workers to minister among their own people.

Five years later, Annie was back home in Richmond, Virginia, because of failing health, but her eyes were turned to the south. In 1925 she wrote, "I continually have a desire to return to Nicaragua, the dearest of all lands to me."

Was her dream ever realized? From this point on, the events of her life are difficult to trace. Mrs. Julian Bandy remembers visiting her in Richmond. Annie was not confined to bed but was unwell. Kelly Barnes recalls that she did recover enough to return to Nicaragua. However, she soon returned to Richmond and died there.

Even less is know of Mary Spooner. She was associated with the Central American Mission, but the country in which she served is unknown. Upon her return to the United States, she served for a number of years as secretary to Dr. Forrest. Where she retired and when she died are unknown.

(article taken from May-June 1976 issue of TFC Today)