Gera Brown Comfort

Gera Brown Comfort of Birmingham, AL passed away on February 14, 2017. She was preceded in death by her father, J.D. Brown, and brother J.D. Brown, Jr; siblings Lucy Romine, Joyce Bullard and Bill Talbot. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dr. David Comfort, brother Jimmy Talbot, daughters Kaye Boyd, Cheryl McCorkle, Angela and Teresa Comfort, grandchildren David and Natalie Phillips, Bobby Burdette, William McCorkle, and great grandchildren Jacob and Madeline Phillips, Audrey Taylor, and Tristan McCorkle.

Gera was a member of Independent Presbyterian Church and served on the board of many Birmingham organizations; the Jefferson County Medical Auxiliary, Women’s Committee of 100, Birmingham Music Club, Women’s Auxiliary to the Humane Society, Antiquarian Society, Civic Opera Guild, Summerfest, Ballet Women’s Committee, Alabama Symphony Auxiliary, and was Chairman of the 1979 Symphony Show House and subsequently the family home was the 1985 Symphony Show House.

Gera’s greatest passion was for the arts at Birmingham-Southern College, serving as the first Chairman of the BSC Arts Council and was recognized with a BSC Fine Arts Society Community Award. Other honors included recipient of the 1979 Silver Bowl for the Arts, and presented with the Community Service Award by the Jefferson County Medical Auxiliary. Gera was twice nominated for Woman of the Year. She was a member of General Sumter DAR, Arlington, and dance clubs, the C.O.’s, Les Soirees and Medallions.

In New Orleans, Gera served on the Vieux Carre Property Owners Board and for many years their family home was on the Spring Fiesta tour benefitting the French Quarter.

Visitation will be at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, Thursday, February 16, 2017, from 5 to 7pm. Graveside Service will be at Elmwood Cemetery on Friday, February 17, 2017 at 11am. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the B’ham Southern - Gera Comfort Arts Service Award, 900 Arkadelphia Road, B’ham, AL 35254, the Humane Society or your favorite charity

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.