Death of Alice (Dunning) Henry, former missionary in Zaire

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

The Division of Overseas Ministries/Global Ministries announces the passing of Alice (Dunning) Henry (formerly Mrs. Robin Cobble), on Saturday, October 6, 2007, at the age of 99. Alice was a missionary who served, along with her husband, Robin, in Zaire (formerly Belgian Congo), in the field of evangelism and education, appointed to serve by the United Christian Missionary Society.

Alice originally served in Zaire from 1931 – 1941, at which time she and her family returned to the States as a result of World War II. The Cobble family returned to Zaire from 1945 – 1949, when they once again were furloughed to the States for the education of their children. The family again went to Zaire in 1952 and then returned permanently to the States after the death of Robin from a motorcycle accident in March 1956.

Alice spent eight years of her early life living as the daughter of missionaries in Japan. She was a 1931 graduate of Smith College, and began her missionary career soon after graduation, marrying Rev. Robin R. Cobble in August 1932 in Zaire. During her service, Alice wrote a French primer which was published and widely used as the best text for beginning French. In later years, Alice also wrote a collection of folk tales containing authentic stories from Africa entitled “Wembi, The Singer of Stories.”

Alice married Thomas Henry in 1973, and is survived by her children, Elizabeth, Marguerite, Robert, and Nancy. A memorial service is planned for 2:30 p.m., Saturday, November 3, at Penney Farms Memorial Church, Penney Farms, Florida. Messages of condolence may be sent to Marguerite Bronkema, P. O. Box 483, Penney Farms, Florida 32079-0483.