The fifth of nine children, Margaret McRae Lackey was born in Copiah County, Mississippi, on October 24, 1858. Her parents were James and Elizabeth Lackey. After graduating from Hillman College (now Mississippi Christian University) in Clinton, she worked as a teacher at Lea Female College in Summit and later returned to Clinton to work at Hillman College. 

Margaret loved missions. As a young woman, she was involved in Mississippi WMU. In 1899, she served as a Sunbeam Band leader. According to WMU records, in addition to serving as Mississippi WMU corresponding secretary (now executive director) from 1912 to 1930, she served frequently as a chairperson of committees, leading in consecration services, speaking at meetings, and serving as a member of the Central Committee. 

Miss Lackey had a vision of what might be accomplished through the better organized efforts of the women of the country Baptist churches. She realized the material was there, and the power was there. It needed only to be guided and directed. The result proved that one of her greatest avenues of service was in making possible the possibilities of others. —Embracing God’s Plan, The Hearts the Lord Opened 

As a member of the Central Committee, she was a part of the 1903 decision to establish a special day for state missions to be observed annually. The emphasis is to “familiarize women with the conditions of our state—social, racial, moral, and religious.” The offering total for that year was $294.38. In 1935, after her retirement, the offering was named the Margaret Lackey State Offering. Mississippi WMU president Mrs. A. J. Aven shared the following about Margaret:  

After her retirement in 1931, Margaret was a hospital hostess at Mississippi Baptist Hospital. For approximately 15 years, she lived in the nurses’ dormitory and attended the 6:30 a.m. chapel services as long as possible. Brother Wayne Allison praised her in 1934: “Her influence is felt throughout every phase of our work.” 

She died on June 5, 1948, months shy of her 90th birthday.  

Her Legacy Lives On 

Margaret was a prolific writer. She enjoyed writing about women’s missions and creating mission studies. She wrote poetry and published two books, Decade of W. M. U. Service, 1913–1923 and Laborers Together: A Study of Southern Baptist Missions in China. 

In August 2023, I learned that Elizabeth Sumner, a member of the Helen Lammons Women on Mission group of First Baptist Lexington, had a personal connection to Margaret Lackey. Her mother, Julia Myrtle Hopson, was a nursing student at Mississippi College (now Mississippi Christian University) and did clinicals at the hospital where Margaret served as hostess. They met at a Christmas Tea Party on December 23, 1933. 

Julia received a book of poetry that day, written and published by Margaret, Mistletoe and Moss. Ninety years later, that book inspired a skit about Margaret Lackey. Julia’s daughter, Elizabeth, joined me in the skit, and we presented it to several churches. At the end of the skit, Elizabeth read Margaret Lackey’s poem “Growing Old.” 

She added, “I’m grateful for these treasured items that my mother gave me. But most of all, I’m thankful for the wonderful legacy she left me of being involved in missions. She had a heart of gold, which showed in all she was involved in.” Julia was only one life of many Margaret Lackey touched because of her love for Jesus and wanting others to know Him. 

Impacting Lives 

The Margaret Lackey State Offering is allocated to touch lives in Mississippi and beyond with the gospel and bring hope to hurting people as its goal has grown to $2.5 million. Some key missions efforts are ministering at camps and campuses, literacy and deaf ministries, church planting, cross-cultural evangelism, and short-term missions.  

Learn more at margaretlackey.com.  

By Laura Lee Leathers. Leathers is a freelance writer and speaker. You can connect with her at lauraleeleathers.com.