Dr. Emma Shirley Comfort

Dr. Emma “Shirley” Comfort passed away on June 15, 2021, at 86 years of age. Shirley was born on April 30, 1935, to the late Gordon Evans and the late Lorraine (Kimball) Evans, both of Elmira, New York. She graduated from Thomas Edison School in Elmira Heights, NY, and graduated from London Bible Institute, Ontario, Canada, to be a missionary in Africa. She then taught school in Fall River, MA, before marrying her beloved husband of 51 years, The Reverend Dr. William Michael Comfort, at Birchwood Baptist Church, Elmira Heights on February 5, 1960. She received her doctoral degree from Saint Alcuin House, The College of Theology, Wolsey Hall, Oxford, England. She was a pastor’s wife and Christian School teacher for many years, women’s ministry leader, Naturopathic Doctor student, and lecturer and advocate for natural health, organic foods, and nutrition. She served as President and Chancellor of Chesapeake Bible College & Seminary, The Love Church of Maryland, and chaired the College Presbytery since 2011, following the passing of her beloved husband, the founding college president. Along with her parents, Shirley is predeceased in death by her husband and her brother, Raymond Evans of Elmira, New York. She is survived by her sisters, June Wilson of Elmira, NY and Sharon Bennett of Big Flats, NY, and brothers, Ronald Evans Sr. of Corning, NY, and Karl Ireland of Plano, Texas. Her two sons are Derrick Comfort and wife Catherine of Denton and Paul Comfort and wife Lisa of Queen Anne; fourteen grandchildren, Christina Beall and husband Aaron, Susanna Comfort, David Comfort, Sarah Comfort, Joshua Comfort, Rebecca Comfort, Josiah Comfort, Noah Comfort, Joseph Comfort and wife Danielle, Amanda Freeland and husband Pete, Carrie Comfort, Daniel Comfort and wife Brianna, Melissa Comfort, and Jenna Comfort. And ten great-grandchildren Ezra Beall, Aimee Beall, Aubree Freeland, Natalee Freeland, Emmet Comfort, Oliver Beall, Forrest Freeland, Sunny Comfort, Aurelia Beall, and Penelope Freeland. A visitation will be held on Saturday June 26, from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm, located at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam, 408 S Liberty St ,Centreville, MD 21617. The Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, June 27, at 3:00 pm, with another visitation available starting at 2:00 pm located at Refuge Christian Fellowship, 12629 Ridgely Road, Greensboro, MD 21639. Burial ceremony will take place at 10 am on Monday, June 28, at Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery Chapel, 6827 E New Market Ellwood Road, Hurlock, MD 21643. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Dr. E. Shirley Comfort Memorial Fund, Chesapeake Bible College & Seminary, 12629 Ridgely Rd, Greensboro, MD 21639 or www.drshirleycomfort.org.

Dr. Emma Shirley Comfort

April 30, 1935 - June 15, 2021