South Carolina native Christine Burton Gregory, national WMU president from 1975-1981, died Jan. 22, 2011, in Danville, Va. She was 89.
As WMU president, Gregory served alongside Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler, executive secretary of national WMU (1974-1989).
“She became my best friend,” Crumpler said. “She was so down-to-earth, comfortable with all people, and always ready to make them feel comfortable with her. We are grateful for her life and ministry.”
Crumpler described her friendship with Gregory and her many contributions to WMU as “a blessing.”
“She led with a positive approach, and faced any opposition that came her way with determination and a smile,” Crumpler added.
GregoryBorn on Apr. 15, 1921, Christine Burton [Gregory] described herself as plain and ordinary. But what others noted was her extraordinary devotion to missions.
In her childhood home of Greenville, Gregory enjoyed piano and voice lessons, but she also witnessed her family give to those in need. She grew up observing her mother setting aside money in a sugar bowl for missionary offerings, carrying food in a basket to the needy in their community, and reading Royal Service (now Missions Mosaic) magazine for missions involvement.
On her 12th birthday, her father gave her a Bible. Later, while attending Girls’ Auxiliary (now Girls in Action) at church, she wrote in her Bible that she was “committed to doing whatever God wished about service in missions” – a commitment she honored all of her days.
At 38, she became WMU president of First Baptist Church, Danville. In 1961, she became associational WMU director, and in 1968, she served as missions action chairman for Virginia. Gregory was elected president of Virginia WMU and therefore served on the executive board of national WMU (1971-1975).
She was elected as president of national WMU and served from 1975-1981. During her tenure, she not only maintained her focus on order and organization, but she also selected missionaries and leaders who would provide a variety of perspectives for the WMU organization and publications.
After she retired, she was elected first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the first woman to hold that office, and the third woman ever to hold convention office.
In 1987, Gregory authored the book, “I Can Be a Mirror: My Role in Mission Action and Personal Witnessing.” She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Danville until her death.
She is predeceased by her husband, A. Harrison Gregory of Greenville, and is survived by three sons.
Wanda S. Lee, executive director-treasurer of national WMU, said, “WMU has been blessed throughout its history with strong, missions-focused national leaders. Christine was no exception as she followed in that path, leading WMU through times of expansion. She leaves a great legacy for today’s leaders in WMU to follow.
“Christine was always a source of encouragement and support for the work of WMU both past and present,” Lee continued, “as well as to me personally as I have visited and communicated with her throughout my years of service.”
Gregory was a graduate of Winthrop College where she was president of the Baptist Student Union. After graduation, she taught school in Cowpens for a year and then became promotional secretary for First Baptist Church, Greer. She also taught for four years at Greenville Junior High School. – WMU