Obituary of ChaplinErvin Louie Shirey

Ervin L. Shirey, Sr. was born in rural Baldwin County, Alabama in 1914. Vigorous farm work, rambunctious play with three older brothers, fishing and fun, these activities made up his early years. At age 17 Mr. Shirey became a Christian and began preaching immediately in small outdoor worship settings. For the next 71 years he continued to pastor and preach. In 1933 he moved to Greenville, South Carolina to attend Holmes Bible College. After completion of this program he accepted a pastor position with the Anniston, Alabama Pentecostal Holiness Church. He attended and graduated from Jacksonville State University as he was pastoring this church. During this time he also met and married the bride of his life. Millie Ruth Armstrong of Ariton, Alabama has been a marvelous complement companion to Mr. Shirey for more than 61 years.Soldiers from Ft. McClellan attended the Anniston church and these young people sparked Shirey's interest in becoming a military chaplain which he did in 1943. His place of ministry during WW II was mainly on Army Transport Corps ships. Throughout his life Chaplain Shirey made 69 crossings of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He often stated that he made these trips by ship, by plane and by rail (seasick!). stated that he made these trips by ship, by plane and by rail (seasick!). Following the end of hostilities of WW II he returned to the same church in Anniston but at the onset of the Korean Conflict in 1950 he again volunteered for chaplain service. His unit was involved in some of the deadliest fighting. Shirey continued on active duty and served with distinction in Germany, Korea and various posts in the United States. His final assignment, Post Chaplain of Ft. Rucker, Alabama, was from 1963 to 1968. In the 35 years of his "retirement" Chaplain Shirey held positions of leadership for the Pentecostal Holiness Church in the state of Alabama, military chaplain endorser for his denomination, and pastor of Bridlewood Chapel, Ozark, Alabama. Since 1963 "Colonel" and "Miss Millie" lived in Ariton, Alabama. The last year of his life he preached twice a month at a small church near Ariton. The number of weddings, funerals, counseling, and worship services conducted by this man add into the hundreds.His family and multitude of friends remember his zest for life, his wisdom, his great humor, his love for fishing and gardening, and his consuming love for God and people. Service Information