Phillip Shuford

1959 - 2025

On December 29th, 2025, Dr. Phillip Shuford, 66, of Ozark, MO, went home to be with the Lord after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Since 2013, Dr. Shuford has touched countless lives across Southern Missouri and beyond as the Director of Missions for the Tri-County Baptist Association of Southern Missouri and as an active member of the First Baptist Church of Ozark.

Dr. Shuford was born in Winston-Salem, NC into the loving Christian home of Gene and Margaret Shuford, who were from the Weaverville, NC area. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at age 9, a decision that he considered the most important decision of his life. After graduating from Parkland High School, Phill majored in sociology and Spanish at Mars Hill College. Fluent in Spanish, he served as a Journeyman missionary in Peru from 1981-1983. Phill later earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. In 2018, he earned his Doctor of Ministry and Master of Theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO.

Dr. Shuford's defined his life by service to the Lord. He served as pastor, interim pastor, minister of education, and worship leader in churches in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, often using his bilingual skills to reach Hispanic communities. Additionally, he served as Church and Community Ministries and Church Development Director for two Baptist Associations. As Director of Missions in Missouri, his passion for pastors and churches flourished. He also organized annual encampments at Baptist Hill Assembly, deeply shaping the spiritual lives of many, both youth and adults alike.

Dr. Shuford loved God's creation, which inspired his love for astronomy. He often gazed at the heavens through his homemade telescope. Phill was also a gifted pianist with an impressive repertoire of praise and worship songs.

Dr. Shuford leaves behind the love of his life, wife Elsy of 23 years, daughter Andrea (studying at Evangel University), and son Andrew (studying at Southwest Baptist University), his older brother David of Winston-Salem, NC, younger sister Genna Shuford Johnson of Greensboro, Georgia, and his loyal dog Toto (a Cairn Terrier who never left Phill's side in the latter days). He was preceded in death by his parents.

A friend to so many, Dr. Phillip Shuford was a pillar of faith whose wisdom and steady counsel were constant sources of strength. To know Phill was to appreciate the immense value he was to his earthly community and will continue to be for the Kingdom of God. He closed his life with a testimony of peace and strength in the midst of his affliction. His love and faith in the Lord never wavered, and now he has met his Savior face to face and will stand in his presence forever. He was a light for Christ, a role model to all, and now forever in His grace.

A service will be held at First Baptist Church of Ozark on January 3rd at 11 a.m. Viewing and family visitation will be prior to the service from 9-11 a.m. Burial will be at Roberts Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested for donations to be made to: First Baptist Church Ozark for The Great Commission Funds: www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/fbcozark or to Special Projects for the Baptist Hill Assembly, for the summer camp he loved so much. Mail a check to: Baptist Hill Assembly, PO Box 491, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712.