Dr. Allen Beza Comish

Macon, GA-Dr. Allen Beza Comish, 90, died Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at his residence following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in the chapel of Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola. Reverend Joe McDaniel and Reverend Don Mitchell will officiate. Interment will follow at 4 PM in Jordan Church Cemetery, Waycross, Georgia. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 PM Friday at Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola.

Dr. Comish was born in Denham Springs, Louisiana. He was the twelfth child of Henry T. and Lucy Tucker Comish, a pioneer Baptist preacher in Louisiana. He was predeceased by his parents and all eleven siblings. As a veteran of World War II, he proudly served his country 41 months in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

At an early age he was designated by his family to be his father's driver to the many churches his father had organized and pastored. During this time of exposure to the many problems and troubles in churches, the young man often vowed he'd never be a preacher. However, an experience during World War II changed his mind.

Dr. Comish was a graduate of Holden High School, Louisiana in 1937, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana in 1942 with a BA degree, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a MRE degree in 1948, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas with a DRE degree in 1956, and Mercer University with a DD degree in 1968.

Dr. Comish was active in denominational work as well as the pastorate. He was Chairman of the Executive Committee, Georgia Baptist Convention 1966-1968; Chairman of the Administration Committee, Georgia Baptist Convention 1964-1966; Chairman of the Education Committee, Georgia Baptist Convention 1963-1964; Vice-President, Georgia Baptist Convention 1967; and Trustee of the Annuity Board and Secretary Treasurer of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor's Conference 1968-1969.

Dr. Comish was a member of the Sunday School Board (Lifeway) 1967-1971. He served at the Baptist Sunday School Board as Superintendent of Intermediate Work and Superintendent of Training 1955-1959. In 1971 he was elected Director of the Church Services and Materials Division at the Sunday School Board. As Director, he was responsible for developing a correlated and coordinated program and curriculum for Southern Baptist Churches involving the thirteen programs assigned to the Division. Help for the Small Church was one of his main emphases.

His pastoral work included Associate Pastor First Baptist, Brunswick, Georgia 1951-1952 and Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Georgia 1952-1955. The church's outstanding effort in the "Million More in 54" campaign brought him to the attention of the Sunday School Board. He also served as Organizing Pastor, Waldrop Memorial Baptist Church, Columbus for 12 years.

Dr. Comish became Assistant to the President of Mercer University in 1977. Always an avid golfer, he organized Mercer's first Golf Team. He later became Vice President for Development at Brewton Parker College. He held many interim pastorates in Georgia while serving at Mercer and Brewton Parker including First Baptist Swainsboro, Ashburn, Tabernacle and West Highland in Macon.

Dr. Comish was one of the organizers and long time President of the Georgia Preacher's Golf Association. Their annual tournament continues to convene at Callaway Gardens after 47 years.

Dr. Comish was Pastor for 23 years, 1980-2003, at Musella Baptist Church, Musella, Georgia. It was at Musella that many of his Sunday School Board program materials were used. Musella became a laboratory for his Sunday School Board programs. The small church was always his heart and it was at Musella that he saw fruit from his earlier labors.

While at Musella Baptist he initiated and organized the Counseling Center of Crawford County. He was known for his emotional and financial support to many college and seminary students who were in Christian vocational training.

A man of integrity and steadfastness, he will be remembered as one who served God and his own generation.

Dr. Comish is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lucille Comish; son Craig (Nancy) Comish of San Antonio, Texas; grandsons Harrison and Jonathan Comish of San Antonio, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews and friends; and special friends Louis and Laverne Wright, and Frank and Evelyn Clark.

The family wants to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Central Georgia for their care of Dr. Comish. Also, the family wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Comish's home caregivers, Debra Wilson, Tracey Taylor, and Grace Fennell, for their loving kindness and care for Dr. Comish.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to either Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church or Musella Baptist Church.

Friends may sign the guest book online at www.hartsmort.com.

Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements. Click here to view floral tributes.