Sunrise
March 31, 1951
Sunset
November16, 2019
Order
of Ceremony
Saturday, November 30
Pre-past & Viewing - 10AM | Service - 11AM Union Missionary Baptist Church 940 N. Orleans Street Chicago, IL 60610 Musical Prelude Processional Scripture Readings Prayer of Comfort Musical Selection Acknowledgement of Condolences Musical Selection Reflections from Famly Life Reflections Eulogy Recessional Benediction
“The Dash Poem” By Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend He referred to the dates on the tombstone From the beginning...to the end He noted that first came the date of birth And spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years For that dash represents all the time That they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them Know what that little line is worth For it matters not, how much we own, The cars...the house...the cash. What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash. So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left That can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough To consider what’s true and real And always try to understand The way other people feel. And be less quick to anger And show appreciation more And love the people in our lives Like we’ve never loved before. If we treat each other with respect And more often wear a smile, Remembering this special dash Might only last a little while So, when your eulogy is being read With your life’s actions to rehash... Would you be proud of the things they say About how you spent YOUR dash?
LIFE REFLECTIONS OF
It’s difficult to summarize a person’s life in a few paragraphs, especially a man so exceptional as Henry Short, Jr. Here’s a few highlights from how Henry spent his Dash. Henry Short, Jr. was born March 31, 1951 in Brooksville, Mississippi to Henry Sr. and Beatrice Brooks. Henry was the third of eight children. Christine, Walter, Bobbie Jean, Wiley, Tommy, Nate, and Daniel. The state of Mississippi has the honor of being known as his birthplace, but it was the city of Chicago and the village of Robbins, that would be the foundation in which he blossomed. Henry was always a stellar student. He began at Lincoln Elementary, moving on to Thomas J. Kellar Jr.
High, graduating from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in 1969, before matriculating to the University of Illinois. Incredible things can be done simply by being committed to making them happen -Sadhguru. Henry was committed to making things happen and the achieving the life that he envisioned. In his time at Eisenhower, Henry maintained a 4.0 GPA, while being a member of the Varsity track team, member of the cross country team, officer and member of the bowling club, Vice President and member of Talented and Gifted, Vice President and member of the National Honor Society, member of the Euclidean Math Club, the Dean’s list, and Who’s Who Among American High School Students. If that wasn’t enough, he held down a part time job at night cleaning floors at a grocery store!
Henry graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Business degree, but while in school he heard that the United Parcel Service was hiring people to wash and load trucks. He was told there was a minimum weight limit that needed to be met. Knowing he didn’t weigh enough, Henry purchased ankle weights and wore them underneath his jeans in order to procure the position. Once again showcasing his ingenuity and his drive to get ahead. After graduating college and from loading and washing trucks, Henry moved to driving and delivering. Not just the brown package cars, but long haul double trailers. After a particularly hairy incident of seeing his second trailer coming up alongside him coming down off a mountain road, he moved into a safety manager position, then to a center manager. He was relocated to various cities across the country with every rung in the ladder until he became the head of Affirmative Action and Business Development, working out of UPS’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta, GA. Henry retired in 2006 after Thirtysix years of service. Henry never stopped reaching back trying to pull others forward. He was involved in B.E.E.P (Black Executive Exchange Program) lecturing to student bodies of various Universities throughout the USA. Henry was a founding member (the secretary) of the MARCH Foundation (Mutual Alliance Restoring Community Hope). Henry and nineteen of his fellow African American UPS executives created MARCH which is 90% funded by the members own finances, to provide educational opportunities and resources to African American youth. While participating at a BEEP event at Savannah State University, Henry saw the low numbers of black men on the campus. Wanting to help, he started a scholarship with the school to provide funds for one black student every semester. That solo contribution turned into a collective contribution through the MARCH foundation, who together over the course of eight years donated Eighty Thousand dollars in funds to the school. In MARCH’s Twentytwo-year history they have provided over One million dollars in grants and scholarships helping more than one thousand students in their pursuit of higher education. Even after his passing, his passion to make knowledge attainable continues through Henry’s generosity.
“
My Endless Love”
Although they were both from Chicago, Henry and Connie met while attending the University of Illinois in Champaign. They were introduced by friends their freshman year in college and after three exhilarating years of dating, they became husband and wife on September 2,1972. Because it was before the start of their Senior Year, many people thought Connie must surely be pregnant, but they were wrong… Henry and Connie just didn’t want to wait any longer… love brought them together. From Champaign, they began their UPS travel odyssey, first heading to Galesburg, where the purchased their first long term home together. Later the happy couple headed to Decatur, Il where that expected bundle of joy showed up...8 years after he was initially expected. Philip Armond Short, their only child, was born on December 15, 1980. The family of three, became like the musketeers, inseparable and going wherever the UPS wind would take them. They landed in Omaha, NE. Then from Cornhuskers, they became Hoosiers moving to Indianapolis, IN. They were headed to Hartford, CT, but the winds of change brought UPS corporate headquarters to Atlanta, GA and the Short family came with it. They made Atlanta their second long term home, spending twenty seven years filling that house full of happiness and love. Henry and Connie loved to spend time together. “Bunny” as he would affectionally call her, and Henry were inseparable. Often participating in couples bowling leagues. Going out to eat. Embarking on several cruises, trips to Mexico, Hawaii, and many other numerous drive-able getaways. They set out to see what the world had to offer. One of their all-time favorite things to do was to take in a live concert. They saw greats like Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green, Anita Baker, Grover Washington, and of course their favorite Luther Vandross. Through thick and thin they never left each other’s side. Offering one another unshakable love and support. At the time of Henry’s passing, they had spent fifty years together, forty-seven in Holy matrimony. -Henry Seventeen thousand two hundred and thirty-one. That’s the number of days that I had the honor of being your wife on earth. We loved, we laughed, we cried. We built an EXTRAORDINARY life together. You gave me so much that I’m grateful for, especially our wonderful son. Luther said it best. “Always and forever, each moment with you. Is just like a dream to me, that somehow came true.” I love you with everything that I have and ever will be. You are forever my love, and I will hold you in my heart until I can hold you in heaven. Love,
Connie
Henry was extremely proud of his only son Philip, who he nicknamed “Partner”. Henry took Philip everywhere he could with him, including trying to take Philip as a baby for a motorcycle ride... until Connie saw and put a stop to the adventure. Emulating his Dad was something Philip always tried to do. The two shared many commonalities. Not only is Philip blessed with his father’s looks, tenacity and steadfast dedication to those he loves, both ran track and cross country in High School and thirty years to the date Philip achieved National Honor Society and Who’s Who Among American High School Students just like his Dad. Being a Short, bowling was a born expectation, so father and son would spend many hours on the lanes together. As Philip got older, some of the lane time was traded for time on the links. Together they played golf on a number of very memorable courses from Jekyll Island to course in Hawaii and all over Georgia and Florida. One of the things these two loved to share most was their appreciation and lust for cars, especially Corvette’s. In 1998 Henry and his Partner, took the road trip of a lifetime to Bowling Green, KY to pick up Henry’s brand new C5 Corvette, direct from the factory. The two of them enjoyed a private VIP tour of the plant, and the museum’s private collection. Then embark on a tour of small car museums, and roadside diners. From the mundane to the spectacular, Henry was an ever-present figure in Philip’s life. Dad, You were the father that every child wants and hopes for. Present. Dedicated. Involved. Loving. You were always there for me and Mom. I feel divinely blessed to have been born the son of Henry Short, Jr. . You shaped my world by being the virtuous, generous, strong and kind man that molded me into who I am today. I am honored to have you as my father and I hold your memory close to my heart. You are the greatest man I have and will ever know. You are my inspiration and my hero...MY DAD. Love,
Philip
Memories
Tributes Hey Bro, The dictionary defines big brother as an older male who protects and looks after a younger sibling. But when you’re an older male who mentors, teaches, inspires, encourages, protects, and looks after siblings as well as family and friends; the title big brother just doesn’t fit. So I searched urbandictionary.com and found the one word that describes you best. You’re not my big brother, you’re my “Henry”. Love,
Wiley
Henry, “Big Brother”- That’s a hat that you always wore...but when we went away to college, you put on new hats” “My legal guardian”(smile) and my roommate. We became closer during that time and that never changed. We traveled together several times over the years and I was able to visit you and your family in every city that you were transferred to. Our families have had many good times together and I will forever cherish those memories. You’ve always had a kinder spirit and although you’re gone from my presence, you will never be gone from my heart. Love you always,
Bobbie
Brother Henry, You were one of the most influential men in my life and I looked up to you. The way you carried yourself both personally and professionally. You were a hard worker and dedicated to your family and made sure they were provided for. (I think you got that from Dad). You always showed so much pride in Connie and Philip and they in turn were so proud of you. I only wished you lived closer so we could have spent more time together, but I understand that you had to make your own path. I will miss you, but I know I will see you again. Love Always,
Your brother Nate
Revelation 21:1-5
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; 3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
Interment
Burr Oak Cemetery 4400 W. 127th Street Alsip, IL 60803
Repast Memorial Luncheon 3:00- 5:30PM Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn 9333 S. Cicero Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Pallbearers
Philip Short Wiley Short Thomas Short Daniel Short Alexander Short Norm Carmichael
Special Acknowledgement to The Cohen Home
(The Cohen Home is where Henry resided when his needs exceeded what Connie and Philip could provide for him in his own home.) A Very Special Thank You, to Cheryl Chambers, Kimone Harry and the entire Cohen Home Staff, who created a loving, and safe environment for Henry; tirelessly taking care of him and elevating his quality of life to the highest standard possible. It’s difficult when you realize your loved one needs exceeds what you can provide and they made that transition so much easier. They did more than just cater to his needs, they provided love and support to not only him, but to all of us. They became family. For their unwavering dedication, compassion, friendship, prayers and love, we are ever so appreciative.
Acknowledgment
The family of Henry Short, Jr. wishes to acknowledge our sincere appreciation for your kindness and expressions of sympathy during this time of bereavement. Thank you for all the time and effort made to travel here today to honor and pay your respects to Henry. We are most grateful to God, for the gift of family and friends. May God’s richest blessing be upon you for blessing us with your acts of encouragement.
Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to:
Chapel Hill Garden South Funeral Home 11333 South Central Avenue Oak Lawn, IL