Rebecca Short

Rebecca Warren Short, age 94, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022, while in care at Arbor Manor Nursing Home in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Rebecca was born on December 31, 1927, to Willie Major and Lucy (Sisney) Warren in West Point, Mississippi. At a young age, Rebecca relocated to Albion, Michigan, along with her family; where she grew up and attended Albion Public Schools.

On February 23, 1946, Rebecca married Jethro Short in South Bend, Indiana. Together they raised five children: Dorothy Jean Short Watson, James Jethro Short, Joyce Marie Short, Lorenzo Leon Short and Waverly Short. Rebecca and Jethro remained committed until his passing in 1997.

Rebecca was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she became a deaconess in 1956. Rebecca enjoyed attending the church's functions including Sunday School, Bible Study, Revivals, Prayer Service, conventions, and fellowship with other churches in celebration of the Pastor and Church Anniversaries. She especially loved the choir's musical concerts. In her latter years, Rebecca became one of the Mothers of the church.

While caring for her family, Rebecca studied hair care at Poro Beauty School in Detroit, Michigan; where she graduated in 1959. Rebecca was celebrated as one of Albion's Black Entrepreneurs when she opened and operated Short's Beauty Shop, for twenty years. During her tenure, Rebecca received many award certificates and accolades. Her most prestigious award was from EverPerm, who recognized her as being the first to apply its relaxer to Black women located in Albion, Michigan. In all, Rebecca served as an Entrepreneur and Beautician for 25 years before retiring.

Rebecca had countless passions and talents. She loved to work in her vegetable garden and farm (where she raised chickens), as well as managing her flower beds at her residence. She and her husband produced such great crops, they began selling their vegetables, spices, and fruit (watermelons) and became active members of the Albion Farmers Market. Among the produce she kept for her household, she practiced food preservation methods (cleaning, blanching, canning, and freezing) when preparing to stock her shelves and freezer.

Other passions that Rebecca possessed were cooking soul food dinners, baking pies, cakes and cookies for her family and friends, sewing clothes, crocheting scarves and hats and quilting blankets. Additionally, everyone who was associated with Rebecca knew of her great love for travel and fishing.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Major and Lucy Warren; husband, Jethro Short; daughter, Dorothy Short Watson; sisters, Geneva Clark, Gertrude Lesley, and Maudie Mae Rudolph; brother, Samuel Warren; brothers-in-law, Percy James Short and Waverly Kinsey; sister-in-law, Pearlean Short Kinsey; daughter-in-law, Valorie Anglin Short; grandson, Robert Watson, Jr., and great-grandson, Javaun Johnson.

Rebecca leaves to cherish her memory: son, James (Andrea) Short; daughter, Joyce Short; son, Lorenzo Short; and son, Waverly (Cheryl) Short; all of Albion, Michigan. She also leaves: a sister-in-law, Blanche Short of South Bend, Indiana; 16 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; 30 great-great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Funeral Service will be Saturday November 19, 2022 at 12:00PM with visitation starting at

11:00AM at Bethel Baptist Church, 523 Washington Street, Albion with Pastor Fred H. Alexander Jr. officiating. Burial to follow at Albion Memory Gardens.

To leave online messages of condolence, please visit www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com