Audrey Purdum

Audrey’s life was marked by steadfast devotion and quiet strength, expressed most clearly through a lifetime of service to others. A Registered Nurse, she cared for countless patients during her years with Good Samaritan Hospital, Middletown Regional Hospital, Sycamore Hospital, and Kettering Hospital. Even after retiring from hospital work, Audrey continued answering the call to comfort and compassion, serving with Hospice of Middletown for ten more years.

Her faith was the steady center of her days. Audrey was a devoted member of Clayton Street Church of God, Harlan Park Church of God, and finally Stratford Heights Church of God, where her commitment was not merely attendance, but wholehearted labor and love. She taught Sunday School for 60 years, worked in the church nursing home ministry, and counselled more individuals over the years than can be counted—always offering encouragement grounded in hope. She also played the piano, giving her gifts freely in worship and in service.

Audrey was instrumental in starting the Stratford Heights Church of God Celebrate Recovery Program, reflecting her enduring desire to see lives strengthened and restored. She loved spreading the gospel of Christ and rejoiced in seeing souls saved. She took solace in the fact that her “entire family is in the ark,” and those who knew her understood that if her life could be summed up into one word, it would be Jesus.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Garry William Short and her second husband, Vernon Purdum; and her sisters Lois Arkill, and Louise Lawson.

Audrey is survived by her children, Gary Wade (Kay) Short, Melissa Faith (Steve) Shultz, Temple Hope Short; grandchildren, Kyle (Ashley) Short, Nate (Uma) Short, Samuel (Cassie) Short, Charity (Shane) Rose, Taylor Shultz; great-grandchildren, Romina, Kohen, Addyson, Jeptha, Isla, Thaddeus, Roman; and many other loving family members and friends.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Stratford Heights Church of God, 4419 Nelson Road, Middletown, Ohio, 45042, with a funeral service to follow at 1:00 pm officiated by her grandsons, Kyle Short, Sam Short, son, Gary Short and Pastor Ray Phillips. Interment to follow at Woodside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Celebrate Recovery at Stratford Heights, www.shcog.com/give/ then select Celebrate Recovery. Please visit www.breitenbach-anderson.com to leave online condolences for the family.