Louise Baird Short

Louise Baird Short, January 17, 1906 – June 24, 2016. Mrs. Short was born in Clarksville, IN the oldest of eight to Mr. and Mrs. James P. Baird (Amy Schuler). Louise had a happy childhood in Clarksville working in the family business, Baird Ice Cream, graduating valedictorian from the local high school. She enrolled at the University of Louisville and graduated from Louisville Normal Teacher’s College.

While studying at the University of Louisville Louise met her future husband, Bishop Roy H. Short. They were married almost 69 years until his death in 1994. Bishop and Mrs. Short had three children, Hunter Baird Short, Murray Malcolm Short and Riley Phillips Short. The family moved to Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida as they supported Bishop Short in his ministry. Louise found great joy and satisfaction with the many enduring associations she had with the United Methodist Church. She travelled all over the world for meetings and absorbed every bit of adventure and friendship possible along the way. Louise remained interested and compassionate about the United Methodist Church and proudly attended every meeting of the General Conference from 1939 to 2012.

Louise was a lifelong learner; she loved history, maintained a keen interest in international affairs and travel. At 90 she visited the Middle East and rode a camel in the ancient city of Petra, at 95 she visited the Great Wall of China and at 100 went to Angor Wat in Cambodia. Her last trip abroad was to Costa Rica at 101. On Louise’s 105th birthday she was inducted into the University of Louisville Golden Alumni Society and at 102 was named “Senior of Distinction” by McKendree Village, her home for the last 32 years. Louise was proud of her “roots” at McKendree; Bishop Short was instrumental in its founding. She often credited McKendree for her longevity and acuity of mind.

Besides her husband Mrs. Short was predeceased by her parents, one sister, 4 brothers, son Murray Short, daughter-in-law Claire Malone Short and great-grandson Walker Matson. She is survived by her brother Clay Baird and sister Amy Jo Munich, her sons Hunter Short and Riley Short (Patty Fouts), seven grandchildren, Nancy Phipps (Skipper), Helen Smith (Chip), Louise Whitaker, Sally Matson (Duffie), Hunter Short (Sally), Phillip Short (Giova), Susan Short (John Johnson) and twenty great-grandchildren. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to her many caregivers for their patience and tenderness in recent years.

Most remarkable about Louise’s life was her love and dedication to family. As the family genealogist and matriarch Louise loved her family of origin and valued each one of her nieces and nephews. She was a deeply devoted wife and mother and continued to express her love of family with obvious joy in the role of Grandmother. “Weeze” is responsible for many happy memories and deep bonds between cousins and will be the source of entertaining reminiscences for years to come.

Services will be held at 3 PM Wednesday July 6th at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville. The family will receive visitors following the service.

Interment will be Thursday, July 7th in a private ceremony at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, KY and a memorial service will follow at 3:00 PM at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Louisville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, 536 Coral Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134 or the charity of your choice. Please visit the online obituary: www.hermitagefh.com. Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN 37138. (615) 889-0361.