John Dudley Shorter Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

John Dudley Shorter, Sr., was born May 19, 1933, at Memorial Hospital, in Easton, Maryland. He was the son of the late Melvin J. Shorter, Sr. and Elenor G. Wright Shorter. He departed this life June 6, 2021, at the Resorts at Chester River Manor, at the age of 88. John had many nicknames, such as “Red”, “Dudley” and “Poppy” along with “Douglas”, which was given to him by his mother-in-law, Bernice Lomax. He answered to them all. John was baptized on April 21, 1935, at Salem Methodist Church, by Reverend E.W. Derrickson. Growing up in Starkey’s Corner, Maryland, he enjoyed rabbit hunting, playing baseball and digging mud holes at the south east creek with his siblings. Dudley attended Salem Elementary School and was a 1950 graduate of Kennard High, Centreville, Maryland. After school, John did farm work before enlisting in the Army on May 25, 1953. He was a part of the 47th Viking Infantry Division Company F 164th INF REG at Camp Rucker, in Alabama. After leaving active duty in 1955, John returned home and became employed by Carl Pinkett, Sr., doing cement work. Dudley played with and managed the Church Hill Negro Baseball League Team, “Hawks”, with his brothers, George and Melvin. Dudley met the love of his life, Louise, in 1957. Their love blossomed and they were married at the parsonage in Starkey’s Corner on October 15, 1959. From this union they had four children, John, Jr, Bruce, Doraethia and Chris, Sr. In 1965, Dudley joined the union local 199 in Delaware, before moving to Big Woods in 1969. He was a “jack-of-all-trades”, retiring in 1995, after 30 years of service. After more than 40 years of marriage, John and Louise renewed their vows in a large family-filled ceremony, on September 22, 2001. Dudley’s hobbies were watching westerns and wrestling and playing baseball. He always fell asleep at the kitchen table while reading his newspaper. He waited for daily visitors so that he could be the self-proclaimed “Big Woods Lawyer” and give out advice. The house was open to any and everybody. Pop could be sarcastic; you may have heard him say any damn thing. Dudley was a member of New Christian Chapel of Love Church, in Big Woods, and served as a trustee. In addition to his parents, Dudley was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Louise T. Shorter; his only daughter, Doraethia Shorter; and two sisters, Marian Shorter and Ella Jernigan. Dudley leaves to cherish his memory, sons, John Dudley Shorter, Jr., Bruce Shorter (Brenda) and Chris D. Shorter, Sr.; siblings, Melvin Shorter, Jr., Cecelia Shorter, George “Sonny” Shorter, Eleanor Brown, Margaret Hawkins, Thomas Shorter (Vera) and Kelvin Copper, Sr. (Pamela); grandchildren, Kwanisha (Darrius, Sr.), Latasha, Chris Jr. (Arraye), Tyra, Teverly, Tiffany, Landon and Tilise (Jamale); great-grandchildren, Tykeya, Darrius, Jr. Kaylah, Leyah, Karis, Ariyana, Kenlei, Jade, Brooklynn, Dream, Rome and India; in-laws, Shirley Warren, Charles “Buck” Smith, who was like a son to him, Hannah Henry and Vanessa Lomax; special cousin John Cheers, who came over and talked all night long until the sun came up; friend for more than 40 years, Dickie Acree; and friend Timmy Bratcher, who he hollered and cussed at on the phone for hours; special friend, Mrs. Dianna Flakes, who sent Dudley cards every month; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

John Dudley Shorter Sr.

May 19, 1933 - June 6, 2021