Larry Shorter

Homegoing Celebration for Larry Shorter

Sunrise: May 8, 1952 Sunset: November 7, 2020

I’ve gone home to get my rest. You loved me, but God loves me best.

Graveside service will be held at 11 am, Friday, November 13, 2020, at Oak Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 – 7 pm on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Larry Shorter was born May 8, 1952 in Hollandale, MS. He was the son of Mary Lee McDonald Shorter and Collins Shorter. Larry confessed Christ at an early age in Percy, MS. at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Larry and Jo Ann moved from Mississippi to Lawrence in 1972 and attended the Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church in Lawrence, KS.

Larry had five brothers, Q.C, Collins, Melvin, Robert Shorter, and Willie B., all of whom preceded him in death. Larry also had three sisters, Joanna Mims and Maxine Oatis, both deceased and Lillie (Lessie) Davis, who resides in Lawrence, KS. Larry was the baby of the family.

Larry married Jo Ann Williams in 1972 and to their union two daughters were born, Veronica Shorter, of Lawrence, KS and Staci (Jelani) Janisse, of Inglewood, CA, niece-daughter, Mary Bell, of Lithonia, GA, and two grandchildren, Xavia and Jelani Janisse II, of Inglewood, CA. Larry also had a host of nieces and nephews who loved him and whom Larry was active in rearing. In 2017, Larry and Jo Ann divorced.

Larry worked as a supervisor at K-Mart, LRM as a construction worker and at Hallmark Cards as a machine operator, retiring in 2009 because of his health. Larry also owned a car detailing business while working full-time at Hallmark Cards.

A heartfelt thanks to Velma Tyler who was a special sister-in-law to Larry and Lillie. They thought of her as a sister from another mother. She was always there for them and in Larry’s last days, she was a comfort to Larry and Lillie. Also, a special thanks to Ann Bell of Pioneer Ridge and all the tireless workers at Pioneer Ridge who risked their lives every day caring for Larry.

Larry will be remembered for his big smile, and his even bigger heart in always being there to help. His family and friends are fortunate to have known him and to have been a part of his very special life. May he rest in peace.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Foundation in care of the funeral home.