Mary Mngara Coulter

Mary Mngara Coulter went home and into the arms of Jesus on 07-Jan-2026. She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Timberlake North Carolina. Mary had three great passions in her life, love for her Lord Jesus Christ, love for her children and family, and love for offering hospitality to all that entered her home. Mary was born in Gonja, Mtii, Tanzania and was one of seven siblings. She attended high school, and advanced secondary education as well as completing two years of teachers training college in Tanzania. While working in Dodoma, Tanzania Mary came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Shortly after that she was given the opportunity to attend All Nations Christian College in the UK. After completing her degree she returned to Tanzania to work with Scripture Union where she hosted youth meetings and was editor for “Daily Bread” in Swahili for readers in East Africa. After David (husband) and she was married they worked as a team with Mission Aviation Fellow UK for 9 years where Mary ran the Dar-es-salaam guest house for missionaries, church workers and bush pilots serving the church in Tanzania. The next phase of Mary’s life, was living in Minnesota for 19 years where she attended Grace Church and participated in missions trips and serving in the Barabas ministry for disabled children. While in North Carolina Mary loved making new friends and welcoming anyone who entered her home.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Yonafika Naftali Mngara (Father) and Naetwe Herini (Mother) and sisters Joyce, Grace, and Sofia.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, David Coulter; Her children, Fiona Coulter DeHaven (Donnie): Ian Coulter (Emma). Her brother Michael, and sisters Suzy and Tamari. She leaves behind many dear friends from a lifetime of love and hospitality.

There will be a time of visitation for friends and family on 10-Jan-2026 at 2PM at Antioch Baptist Church, 677 Antioch Church Rd, Timberlake, NC 27583 followed by a celebration of life for Mary at 3PM. There will be a grave side service on 11-Jan-2026 at 2PM at the cemetery of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 3736 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37804. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Antioch Baptist Church Building Fund.