Mrs. Bertha L. Short was born on December 17, 1931 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Oscar and Lula Lewis in Columbus, Mississippi.  She was married to the late Tommy D. Ross and three children were born from this union.  Their names are Ora Lee Ross, James D. Ross and Beula Mae Ross.

She was a member of Renaissance Temple Church, St. Louis, MO 63106.  While attending church she loved wearing her church hat and pearls.  She was a wonderful Mother who never met a stranger and she always had a friendly smile for everyone.  Her joys in life were sewing, fishing and gardening.

She was affectionately called Bert and Madea but known as Granny.  Granny was very welcoming but also stern and very sweet.  She was the heart and root of the family;  she helped raise majority of all of us.  Carla, Tony, George and Markeisha were extra close to her.  Todd Laundry of St. Louis formerly employed her.

God called her home on April 23, 2019 and put her soul to rest after a brief illness.  We thank God for the 87 years that he blessed her to see.  Her daughter Ora Lee Lilton of Columbus, MS preceded her in death and her great grandson, Treyveon Barnes.  Mother Short was the last of 17 children.

She leaves to cherish her memories a son, James D. Ross of East St. Louis, IL and a daughter, Beula M. Orr of Washington Park, IL.  Her 15 grandchildren, plenty of great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and friends.