Joe Short

Eddie “Joe” Short of Beckley, formally of Baileysville departed this life to be with the Lord on Friday, January 3rd, 2020.

Born June 4th, 1936 in Baileysville, Joe was the son of the late Jerry and Goldie Short. He was a proud  1954 graduate of Baileysville High School, and cherished his memories on the football field and basketball court.  Joe served his country for one tour of duty in the United States Air Force. His duty assignments included numerous locations within the United States and one tour of duty in postwar South Korea. After serving his country honorably, Joe returned to his beloved home state of West Virginia where he continued his life as a public servant, teacher, mentor and a devoted loving husband and father. 

After meeting and marrying the love of his life, Catherine, Joe graduated from Marshall University, earning his Bachelors Degree in Education and his Masters in Administration.  He enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher, coach, mentor and principal.  Aside from a brief time residing in Ohio and Florida, Joe’s entire teaching career was served in Wyoming County. He was a teacher and basketball coach at Baileysville Elementary School, followed by incredible years as the principal at both Huff Consolidated School and Pineville Riverside Elementary School. The names of students and young teachers who began their educations and careers under the mentoring of Mr. Short is far too long to list.

After retiring from his devoted career in education, Joe pursued aspirations in the political professional field. Continuing his life as a public servant, Joe was elected to several terms as the Wyoming County Assessor.  Following multiple years of service in this position, he enjoyed full retirement.

Born to meager beginnings in the head of a hollow named Cub Creek, Joe lived his life to the fullest extent possible, as a true mountaineer. He loved being in the mountains of this beautiful state for any reason, or simply for no reason at all. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, exploring, hiking, and searching the hills for ginseng and molly moochers. Continuing with his love of all things outdoors, and with the training of his youth, Joe was an avid gardener of all things from vegetables and fruit trees to plants of all types. His love of the natural world could be seen through the feeding of birds and wildlife, stocking a fish pond for his children, and even some time as a beekeeper.

But as great his love of the mountains was, Joe’s true passion was that of being a father, mentor and teacher of children. When Joe was with his children, grandchildren, students, or any children at all, one could see he was truly within his element. As the saying goes, he never worked because he was doing something he loved.

And, the true love of his life, was his wife of 53 years, and mother of their four children, Catherine. Formally, Naomi Catherine Stewart of Matheny, WV, they are now joyfully reunited.

In addition to his wife and parents, those that have gone before him include eight brothers and sisters:    Upha, Tavie, Virginia, Phoebe, Charles, Carmel, Harry, and Curtis.

Joe is survived by his four children, Greg Short of Virginia Beach VA, Chuck and Judy Short of Perryville, KY, Myra Short of Beckley, and Jeanne Short and Sherry White of Virginia Beach, VA; three grandchildren, Tyler and Carly Short of Danville, KY,  Kaile Short and Diorian Coleman of Huntington and Mackenzie White of Virginia Beach, VA; one sister, Frances Jean Barrett of Oceana; and one brother-in-law Emerson Stewart of Matheny.

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