Elex Short Jr.

Elex Short Jr. was born on August 16, 1928, to Alex and Sally Bell (Heath) Short, Sr. in Sunflower, Mississippi. 

Elex was baptized at an early age at St. Peters Baptist Church in Sunflower.  "Sonny", as his mom lovingly called him, was a hard worker and drove tractors on the family land as a teenager. After attending the Sunflower school system, Elex relocated to Ohio.  After a few years his beloved uncles Amos, Sr. and Vance Heath arranged for him to move to Joliet, IL and take a job with Labor Local 75. During his career he loved building roads and skyscrapers in the Chicagoland area until he retired.

Elex was a distinguished man who was always sharply dressed in a suit with his signature hat, and Stacey Adam shoes. During the prime of life, he enjoyed driving nice cars and riding motorcycles with his brother, John Short. Junior (Jr). was a master and John was a novice (often falling down); none the less he was known across the United States for his beautiful bikes. He would add lights and all sorts of decorations, when you saw it, it was truly a sight to see. Over the years, Jr. has won awards and trophies for his beautiful bikes. 

Elex LOVED his family, he was a devoted husband and father, grandfather, big brother and uncle.  He was called Junior (JR.) by his sisters and brothers, Uncle Bruh by his nieces and nephews, Uncle Bud by his sister Hattie’s kids and Pops by his grandchildren.  Always willing to help, always kind and always ready to share stories about his life adventures with a big smile and a hearty laugh. 

Elex was preceded in death by his father, Alex Short, Sr., Mother Sally Bell Short, his wife Ethel Short, son Alton Short, three brothers, Willie Lee Irving, John Short and Louis Short and three sisters Elise Barber, Emma Gates and Hattie Harris. 

Elex leaves to cherish his memory four daughters, Mettie King of Joliet IL, Cynthia Thomas of Houston TX, Rogeria Westbrook of Washington D.C., Adlean (Melvin) Thomas of Freeport, IL; two sons Michael (Barbara) Self of Toledo, Ohio and Bryant (Sherry) Martin of Joliet, IL; three nieces, Petrina (Isaac) Banks of Matteson, IL, Christin Harris of Denver, CO; special niece, Pamela Short of Joliet IL; one nephew, John -Billy (Jhada) Short of Huntsville, AL; twenty-two (22) grandchildren and a host of great grands, great great grands, great nieces and nephews, numerous family members and friends.  His dedicated friend and caregiver, Ms. Mattie Fielder and family that held a special place in his heart.  

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