Comer, Dorothy

Favorite Verse: Book of John
Favorite Hymn:  “The Old Rugged Cross”
Hobbies: Reading, staying alive
Family Status: Widowed after 72 years of marriage to Clyde; two sons, Roger and Donald; one grandchild; and three great-grand children.

Dorothy Comer celebrated her 101st birthday in February. Originally from Ohio, she is the oldest member of First Baptist Church, Huntsville, which she joined 23 years ago.

Q: How was the move to the South?
A: We were one of the 29 families sent down to staff the B.F. Goodrich plant (in Tuscaloosa). We were strangers to the South. We were accustomed to central heating and air up North, so moving to the smaller homes in the South without central heating and air was quite difficult. But we were glad to have the homes we had. … Tuscaloosa was a small town at the time. I doubt it was more than 16,000 people. I’m sure it was quite a shock to get that many Yankees. We just became one big family. We stayed (in Tuscaloosa) until my husband retired in 1975.

Q: What was your childhood like?
A: I had a good childhood. I had very good parents. We were average children. We never wanted for anything. We always went to church. I can remember the first piece I spoke in Sunday School when I was about 4 years old.

Q: How did you become a Christian?
A: I’ve been a Christian all my life. My family members were Christians. Every place we’ve ever lived, we’ve always been active in church. We’ve been fortunate we’ve always had a good church.

Q: What difference has being a Christian made in your life?
A: It has been a great help. If you have ever had cancer, you would know what prayer is. (She had advanced colon cancer in 1970 and was given three years to live.) Prayer is everything to me. I have a lot to pray for.