Micki Stella

Mary “Micki” Stella, an emeritus International Mission Board missionary who shared the gospel among East Asian Affinity Peoples in Korea, died July 12, 2019. She was 85.

Born Jan. 7, 1934, in Tampa, Fla., Stella earned the Bachelor of Science from Carson-Newman College (now University), Jefferson City, Tenn., and the Master of Education from University of Florida, Gainesville.

She married Anthony Stella Jr., on Jan. 27, 1956. She worked as a teacher in Tampa, Fla., Hayward, Calif., and Fort Worth, Texas, and as a school principal in Hayward.

The Stellas were appointed as IMB missionaries to Korea June 18, 1964.

Brought up in a Christian home from birth, Stella said in a testimony she wrote when seeking appointment that she was faithful in attending Sunday school, worship services and, when available, Girls’ Auxiliary (now Girls in Actions and Acteens).

“It was these factors,” she wrote, “as well as the continuing Christian home environment which made me realize at the age of 10 that God was calling me into missionary service.”

It was a calling that would be affirmed repeatedly through the years.

During 26 years as missionaries to Korea, the Stellas served in Seoul, Pusan and on Cheju Island.