Lucy Ady (née MarthaLucile Meloy) along with her husband, Merrill Ady, served as a Presbyterian missionary in China in the last century.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, Lucy Meloy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth and a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois.
In August 1923, she married Merrill Ady, with whom she would collaborate in missionary work in China with the USA Presbyterian Church. They had three children, Carolyn, Robert and Donald.
In September 1923 they arrived in Canton (Guangzhou), China for a year of language study.
The period 1924-1941 was spent in evangelistic work in the countryside around Yeung Kong, Guangdong (Kwangtung).
In 1925, they were evacuated to the Philippines when Sun Yat-Sen made his first foray into power from Guangzhou (Canton).
In 1928 they were home on furlough and again in 1936-1937 in Evanston, IL.
Prior to the war, the Adys owned a holiday cottage on Cheung Chau. In 1939, their address on Cheung Chau is recorded as House #14. Because of the Sino-Japanese War, Lucy and the children were sent here while Merrill stayed in the field at Yeungkong.
In December 1941 the Japanese invaded Hong Kong.
In January 1942, Merrill, Lucy and Don were interned by Japanese in Stanley Camp, Hong Kong.
In 1942 they wererepatriated on the Gripsholm, and whereas Lucy returned to the USA, Merrill served the next two years in China as a field agent in Secret Intelligence in the U.S. Army Office of Strategic Services.
In 1946, Lucy and her son Donald returned to Canton, where Donald attended Shanghai American School.
In the late 1950sLucy taught at the True Light Middle School in Hong Kong, which had moved from Canton in 1949.
The Ady’s missionary service ended in 1960.
Source: The Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church of America, Bulletin 17, October 25th 1939.
Comments
Martha Lucile Ady nee Meloy 7 Feb 1895 - 3 March 1988
Martha Lucile Meloy (sic) born 7 February 1895 Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Married Merrill Steele Ady 3 August 1923 Evanston Cook County Illinois
Died 3 March 1988 Duarte LA California
Buried Forest Lawn Cemtery Omaha Nebraska near husband
Children US Consular Report Births and Registrations of American Citizenship
Carolyn Robb Ady 9 July 1926 Canton China
Robert Meloy Ady 27 November 1927 Canton China
Donald Wilson 3 October1932 Canton China
Overview
Lucy Ady (née Martha Lucile Meloy) along with her husband, Merrill Ady, served as a Presbyterian missionary in China in the last century.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, Lucy Meloy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth and a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois.
In August 1923, she married Merrill Ady, with whom she would collaborate in missionary work in China with the USA Presbyterian Church. They had three children, Carolyn, Robert and Donald.
In September 1923 they arrived in Canton (Guangzhou), China for a year of language study.
The period 1924-1941 was spent in evangelistic work in the countryside around Yeung Kong, Guangdong (Kwangtung).
In 1925, they were evacuated to the Philippines when Sun Yat-Sen made his first foray into power from Guangzhou (Canton).
In 1928 they were home on furlough and again in 1936-1937 in Evanston, IL.
Prior to the war, the Adys owned a holiday cottage on Cheung Chau. In 1939, their address on Cheung Chau is recorded as House #14. Because of the Sino-Japanese War, Lucy and the children were sent here while Merrill stayed in the field at Yeungkong.
In December 1941 the Japanese invaded Hong Kong.
In January 1942, Merrill, Lucy and Don were interned by Japanese in Stanley Camp, Hong Kong.
In 1942 they were repatriated on the Gripsholm, and whereas Lucy returned to the USA, Merrill served the next two years in China as a field agent in Secret Intelligence in the U.S. Army Office of Strategic Services.
In 1946, Lucy and her son Donald returned to Canton, where Donald attended Shanghai American School.
In the late 1950s Lucy taught at the True Light Middle School in Hong Kong, which had moved from Canton in 1949.
The Ady’s missionary service ended in 1960.
Source: The Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church of America, Bulletin 17, October 25th 1939.