Passages

PIERSON – Rev. Dr. Robert D. Pierson, 81, of Tulsa died Dec. 14, 2017.
Bob served The United Methodist Church for over 50 years, including 37 years at Tulsa-Christ UMC.
He chaired the Russia Initiative for the Oklahoma Conference and planted several Methodist churches in Russia. He founded the denomination’s Large Church Initiative and led it for 15 years. He also founded the Leadership Nexus Foundation and authored books on church growth.
Other churches he pastored were Capron, Hennessey, Tulsa-First, Stillwater-Highland Park, and Bartlesville-First.
Survivors include his wife, Delia; and children Sarah, Jamie, and David Pierson, Cheryl Lynn Danni, Jill James, and Rev. Becky Pierson, pastor at Tulsa-Aldersgate.
Service was Dec. 18 at Christ UMC.
Memorial gifts to: Leadership Nexus Foundation, 7103 S Columbia Place, Tulsa, OK 74136.

SHUMAKER – Rev. Elbert Shumaker, 97, of El Reno died Dec. 15, 2017.
Rev. Shumaker served Hammon, Bethel, Gotebo, Vinson, Brinkman, Willow, Prairie Hill, Duke, Erick, Hollis, Berlin, and Sayre churches.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, and sons Norman and Lyndon Shumaker.
Service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 27 at Mangum-First UMC.

TEEL – Rev. Gene Allen Teel, 87, of Ada died Dec. 16, 2017.
Gene served churches in Francis, Sasakwa, Caddo, Kenefic, Bokchito, Maud, and Wanette.
Survivors include his wife, Jaunita; and children Patricia Jones, Pamela Kirk, Susan Kelley, Wade Teel, and Gina Teel.
Service was Dec. 20 at Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Ada.
Memorial gifts to: Mitchell Memorial United Methodist Church, 221 W Seventh, Ada, OK 74820.

DOZER – Rev. Charles Earl Dozer and his wife, Leola Pearl Dozer, died two days apart at Jenkins Care Community, Wellston, Ohio.
Charles, age 92, had served three churches: Fairview at Slapout, Morning Star, and Grandfield.
He died Jan. 1, 2018, and Leola, age 90, died Jan. 3, 2018. Their survivors include a daughter, Juanita Thatcher.
Their joint service was Jan. 6 in Wellston, Ohio.

COMBS-FRANCIS – Rev. Sheila Combs-Francis, 67, died Jan. 6, 2018, while visiting her daughter, Anna, in Burbank, Calif. At the time of her death, she was pastor at Kaw City. She also is survived by her husband, Tom.
She also pastored at Antlers, Enid, Ponca City-Albright, Sayre, Billings, Hennessey, Geary, and Cashion.
Service was Jan. 13 at Enid-New Hope.

Nadine Humphrey, 87, of Oklahoma City died Jan. 7, 2018. She was the mother of Rev. Brad Humphrey.