Joe. L. Short was born on June 8, 1937 in Haywood Rural, Tennessee to Mary Lee Short. In 1960,Joe moved to East St. Louis, Illinois.

Joe confessed a hope in Christ at an early age. He was a long time member of North End Baptist Church.

Joe was united in holy matrimony on April 1, 2015 to Carolyn D. Mason.

Joe found employment at Olin for 31 years until he retired. Joe enjoyed life to the fullest and loved to watch the Cardinals.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lee Short, daughter, Dorris J. Lang, and a special person, Helen Perry.

Joe departed this life in St. Louis, MO on August 3, 2019 at 10:35 p.m. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn D. Mason; raised two granddaughters, Cathryn (Carl) Berry of Belleville, IL and Helen (Rodney) Windom of St. Louis, MO; children, Latosha, Vincent, Sade, Terrill, Demarcus, Keith, Sammie, and a special person, Keyvon Harper; two grandsons, Jo'Marco and Joseph Lang of East St. Louis, IL; twenty-two grandchildren;nine great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; his sister, Maxine Short; mother-in-law, Ruby Mason and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.