Frances Hester Yon of Wagener was awarded the 2014 Dr. Lonnie H. Shull Jr. Legacy Award by the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina at the Foundation’s Partner in Ministry events held at the South Carolina Baptist Convention in Columbia Sept. 22-23.
The Dr. Lonnie H. Shull Jr. Legacy Award is given annually to a friend of the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina who has demonstrated outstanding support of the Foundation’s ministry through the establishment of legacy gifts to support the Lord’s work in perpetuity. The award exemplifies the spirit of Dr. Shull, who served the Foundation faithfully for more than 36 years with enthusiasm, passion, and a sincere love for his Lord and the Foundation’s ministry.
Yon, a lifetime Baptist and member of Wagener First Baptist Church, has been a friend of the Baptist Foundation since 1993 when she and her husband established a charitable trust from funds received from an inheritance. She shared that she wanted to do something meaningful with her inheritance and not spend it away. Her trust provides income for the remainder of her life as well as additional years for her children. Funds remaining at the end of the trust term will then be used to provide for students at North Greenville University, where her father was principal of its predecessor academy, and for missions work.
Both Frances Yon and her late husband, Harold, grew up in Wagener. They moved to Columbia, where they raised four sons — Larry, Terry, David and Tommy — and were actively involved in Dixie Youth Baseball and in youth development in their church and community. After retirement, the Yons moved back “home” to Wagener and became active members of First Baptist Church. Their marriage that would last some 60 years until Harold went home to be with the Lord in 2004.
One of the greatest joys in Frances Yon’s life has been teaching Royal Ambassadors. In 2006, she published a book entitled “Just For Boys: Real Answers for Getting Along in a Confusing World.” After raising four sons and working with boys ages 6-12, she was inspired to write this book to help young boys grow into gentlemanly adults. She also began a program in her association entitled “Pennies for Pastors” in which she encouraged Royal Ambassadors to raise change to help retired pastors and their widows who are in financial need. Through her efforts, more than $2,500 was raised in a few short weeks.
In addition to actively serving their church, Frances has served numerous years as the Baptist Foundation’s representative in the Edisto Baptist Association, where she has avidly promoted the Foundation’s ministry. Frances has dedicated her life to family, to service, and to the Lord. The Baptist Foundation of South Carolina is pleased to honor her legacy of giving and serving through its annual award.