Benjamin T. Shorter, Jr.

Funeral Services: Monday, November 7, 2011, 2:00 P.M. Payne Chapel A.M.E Church Interment: Eastview Cemetery Benjamin Tucker Shorter, Jr., son of the late Benjamin T. & Rachel Mitchell Shorter.  He was born October 19, 1932 in Cuthbert, GA.  He transitioned to his eternal home on November 2, 2011. In childhood, Ben joined Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church and was very active in the Youth Department.  Ben attended school in Randolph County through 8th grade and then transferred to Central High School in Appalachia, Virginia.  He graduated from Central in 1951 and moved to Hartford, CT.  Ben served in the Armed Forces of the United States as a Paratrooper and received a National Defense Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge and received an honorable discharge. He was employed in the construction industry, and a mechanic with General Motors.  Ben later joined McKenzie Heavy Equipment Corporation where he retired.  After retirement, he returned to Cuthbert, GA with his beloved wife Moree Lawrence-Shorter. He was preceded in death by his son, Johnny Lawrence and daughter, Lisa Shorter. In addition to his wife, he leaves to cherish his memories five daughters, Sandra Shorter of St. Petersburg, FL, Lawanda (Andre) Shorter-Epps of Hartford, CT, Anna (John) Taylor of Warner Robins, GA, Brenda (James) Lawrence and Sallie (Jason) Pinkney of East Haddam, CT; four sons, Benjamin Woods, Sr. of Windsor, CT, Amos (Carolyn) Lawrence of Reynolds, GA, Frederick (Rosemarie) Lawrence and Marvin (Reneah) Lawrence of Bloomfield, CT; two brothers, Wesley (Peggy) Shorter of Columbus, GA and Lokey (Doris) Shorter of Dayton, OH; one sister, Vivian Shorter-Seymore of Cuthbert, GA; daughter-in-law, Josephine Lawrence of Shorterville, AL. Ben enjoyed and cherished his thirty-one grandchildren, forty-two great grandchilden, one great great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.