LONGVIEW —Mary Sue Fletcher Shorter went to be with the Lord on September 18, 2014. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Roy James, the Rev. David Dunham and the Rev. Mary Collier officiating. Services are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 2, 2014, at Rader Funeral Home Chapel.
Mrs. Shorter was born August 16, 1928, in Pleasanton, Kansas, to John and Suzanna Fletcher.
Mrs. Shorter is survived by three sons and daughters-in law, Mike and Retta Shorter of Austin, Mark and Debra Shorter of Longview and Patrick and Ann Shorter of Boerne; three grandchildren, Sammy Shorter and his wife, Bridgit, of Austin, Sarah Munro and her husband, Shawn, of Baton Rouge, and Mika England and her husband, Casey, of Austin; three stepgrandchildren, Casey Brown of Austin, Shanna Clark of Jasper and Ryan Mattox of Kyle; three great-grandchildren, Ashley Clark of College Station and Jack and Max Mattox of Kyle; brother, Jack Fletcher and his wife, Betty, of Kansas City, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Shorter was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Sam Shorter; her parents, John and Suzanna Fletcher; and two brothers, Maurice Fletcher and Paul Fletcher.
Mrs. Shorter was born and raised in the small farming community of Pleasanton, Kansas. Upon graduating high school, she attended college, majoring in education. Before completing college, she went to work for the local electric company. She married Sam in 1950. They moved to Longview in 1955. She worked at various jobs throughout her life but ended up following her passion of education and joining LISD, where she worked as a teacher’s aide at Mozelle Johnson until her retirement in 1989.
Her unwavering faith in God sustained her throughout her life. As a lifelong Methodist, she joined First United Methodist Church of Longview in 1955 and was a member of the Newnham Sunday school class the entire time. She served her church through United Methodist Women (UMW), was a 48-year member of the Chancel Choir and participated with the care ministry, Intercessory Prayer Group and many other support, care and ministry groups.
Mrs. Shorter was an active member of the Longview community through several service organizations. She was a 66-year member of PEO and served as an officer as well as on committees.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a 17-year member of the Good Shepherd Medical Center Auxiliary and a 15-year member of the Longview Symphony.
The family requests memorials be made to the Newnham Sunday School Class, c/o of First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia St., Longview, TX 75601; Asbury House, 320 S. Center St., Longview, TX 75601; or Longview Community Ministries, PO Box 1023, Longview, TX 75606.