Lives of slain Southern Baptist aid workers remembered by friends, family

IMB Photo

Killed in the March 15, 2004 attack in Iraq were, from left to right, Karen Watson, David McDonnall, Larry Elliott, and Jean Elliott.

RICHMOND, Va. — Southern Baptists are mourning the loss of four workers and the wounding of a fifth in a drive-by shooting in Iraq.

The five aid workers were driving through the town of Mosul when their car was attacked by an unknown assailant, said a spokesman for the International Mission Board. Four of the workers died from bullet and shell fragment wounds reportedly from automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.

The workers were researching needs for humanitarian projects in northern Iraq when the attack occurred. Killed were Larry T. Elliott, 60, and Jean Dover Elliott, 58, of Cary, N.C.; Karen Denise Watson, 38, of Bakersfield, Calif.; and David E. McDonnall, 29, of Rowlett, Texas. McDonnall’s wife, Carrie, is recovering in a military hospital in Germany.

“Southern Baptists have sought ways to share God’s love with the Iraqi people. Last fall Southern Baptist churches in the United States sent more than 3 million pounds of food to Iraq. The workers involved in this attack were researching the need for future humanitarian projects,” explained IMB Vice President Clyde Meador.

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David McDonnall gave his life in 'a collision between love and hate'

Watson remembered as one who 'sold out for Jesus'

Elliots knew service in Iraq 'was God's calling'