WMU Foundation’s Charlene Miller (left) unboxes the award for Evelyn Tully. Photo by Van Payne/The Baptist Paper
Evelyn Tully of Illinois was honored with the 2025 Rosalie Hunt Devoted Patron Award during the WMU Foundation’s 30th Anniversary celebration event on June 7.
Held on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, following a day of WMU-related Crossover events in the area, 150 people attended the brisket and barbecue dinner.
Peggy Darby, president of the WMU Foundation, and Charlene Miller, chair of the foundation’s board of trustees, shared a variety of updates and reports related to the foundation — and presented the award to Tully.
“The annual presentation recognizes individuals who, like Hunt, have demonstrated unwavering commitment and extraordinary generosity in support of the WMU Foundation,” Darby said. “Their investment in missions education, discipleship and the ministry of WMU ensures that the gospel continues to reach lives across the globe.”
‘Guided … by deep purpose’
“In fact, recipients of this award are what I like to call the foundation’s true VIPs — Volunteers in Philanthropy — those whose giving is guided not only by vision, but by deep purpose.
Peggy Darby, WMU Foundation president, shares about Evelyn Tully, the award recipient. Photo by Van Payne/The Baptist Paper
“Evelyn Tully exemplifies the heart of this award,” Darby said. “Her life reflects the spirit of Rosalie Hunt — devoted, visionary and whole-heartedly commitment to missions for life.
“Her unwavering commitment to help raise funds for the endowment that bears her name, and her personal generosity in giving to support the work of national WMU through the WMU Foundation reflects the legacy the WMU Foundation board of trustees seek to celebrate through this award.
“She is not only a catalyst for others, but also a committed, consistent donor.”
Childhood memories
In accepting the award, Tully shared how her love for missions began in childhood — listening to her mother read from the missionary prayer calendar and tracing countries on a world map on their wall.
Eventually, Tully served as GA (Girls in Action) and camp director in Illinois before becoming the first national Acteens consultant.
Tully also coordinated a four-year missions partnership between Illinois WMU and Baptist women in Kazakhstan, including their first country-wide women’s gathering.
“A highlight was the first country-wide gathering of Kazakhstan Baptist women,” she said. “They came by bus, van, train — some walking several miles.”
Peggy Darby, (left) president of the WMU Foundation, said Evelyn Tully (center) “exemplifies the heart behind the Rosalie Hunt Devoted Patron Award.” Also pictured is Charlene Miller. Photo by Van Payne/The Baptist Paper
In honor of her service, and at the time of her retirement, Illinois WMU leaders established the Evelyn Tully Endowment for International Women’s Conferences, which continues to support women’s gatherings for leadership training and spiritual growth across six continents.
Tully helped launch the inaugural National Acteens Conference in 1972 with the theme “Let God Happen,” which featured missionary guests Rosalie and Bob Hunt, who were serving in Taiwan at the time.
“Receiving this award named for Rosalie Hunt is a tribute to relationships formed through the years,” Tully said, noting she and Hunt recently had exchanged messages about the honor. “It’s nice this all fits together for tonight.”
‘Choose Missions’
“I thank God for revealing to me, the plan for my life — serving through WMU,” Tully said. “WMU challenges us to commit to ‘missions for life.’ Since the beginning of the WMU Foundation, I have supported numerous funds and endowments. My estate will continue that support beyond my life.
Sandy Wisdom-Martin closes the celebration. Photo by Van Payne/The Baptist Paper
“I pray you will choose Missions for Life. We can all do so much through Woman’s Missionary Union through Baptist churches. Let’s continue to do that.”
Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director of national WMU, closed the evening with a special message to Tully.
“You taught us to love camp, and camp taught us to love WMU, and WMU taught us to love the peoples of the world, and loving the peoples of the world taught us to take our place in God’s plan,” Wisdom-Martin said.
“I am one of Tully’s kids,” she added. “WMU missions camps helped me understand there was something beyond my tiny church in southern Illinois.
“Evelyn Tully taught us to love the nations, lead by serving and to follow God in unwavering obedience.”