Tribute to Lucille Graybill
March 24, 1928 - October 3, 2005

John and Lucille Graybill had 40 over years of experience as evangelizing and church-planting missionaries, first in rural western Japan (Yamaguchi Prefecture), and later in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. They were the last Brethren in Christ career missionary couple in Japan, and ministered to all congregations within the Japan Brethren in Christ Conference.

The Graybills returned to Osaka in 1992 as self-supporting missionaries upon the invitation for employment with a company which specializes in conducting weddings. The owner of the wedding company introduced John to the 80 full-time and 200 part-time employees as "pastor," and encouraged them to talk to John about religion and personal problems. In addition to conducting weddings for persons who desire a Western-style wedding, John and Lucille counseled the couples before and after the wedding ceremony.

After many years of planting the seed of God’s word in Japanese hearts, John and Lucille returned to the United States in 2002.

Lucille’s obituary was printed in Harrisburg PA’s Patriot News, on Thursday, October 6, 2005. We include it here:

Lucille Grace Graybill, 77, of 35 Oakwood Drive, Palmyra, PA, went home to be with her Lord on Monday October 3, 2005 at her home.

She was the wife of Rev. John W. Graybill, pastor of Campbelltown United Christian Church, where she was also a member.  Lucille and John celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in June of 2005.

Born in Annville on March 24, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Annie Herr Hoffsmith.

She was a graduate of Annville High School and attended Messiah College and Lebanon Valley College.

From July 1957 to August 2002, Lucille and John were missionaries in Japan, where she graduated from Japanese Language School in Kobe, Japan.  While in Japan, she taught English Conversation and western cooking.  She was also an accomplished Japanese flower arranger.

Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Michael W., husband of Donna Graybill of Woodruff, SC, and Edward P., husband of Maureen Graybill of Lusaka, Zambia; three daughters, Brenda J., wife of Dale R. Custer of Annville, Debra A., wife of Tyrone G. Miller of Lancaster, and Barbara G., wife of Kazuichi Togashi of Yokohama, Japan;  three brothers, Harold Hoffsmith of Palmyra, James Hoffsmith of Annville, and Earl Hoffsmith of Upper Lawn; a sister, Pauline, wife of Jere Snavely of Lititz; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Interment will be in the United Christian Cemetery, Campbelltown. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the United Christian Home, 520 North Route 934, Annville, PA 17003 or Brethren in Christ World Missions, 431 Grantham Road, Box 390, Grantham, PA  17027-0390.