Morrell Bertrand Shorter Jr.

Morrell Bertrand Shorter, Jr. (Bert), 68, of Gladys and formerly of Daleville, passed away Friday, November 27, 2009. Born in Clifton Forge, April 20, 1941, he was a son of the late Fontaine Hildebrand and Morrell Bertrand Shorter, Sr. Also preceding him in death was a son, David Alan Shorter and stepson, Mark Alan Lacy. A retired veteran of the United States Army with 22 years of service, Bert served two tours in Viet Nam. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and served as a hunter safety instructor for the VA Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. He was a member of Sharon United Methodist Church, Naruna, and the Staunton River Masonic Lodge #155. He dearly loved his grandchildren, watching football, and his dogs. Surviving are his wife, Joyce D. Shorter; daughters, Susan S. Hogan and her husband Ronnie of Glendive, Montana, and Sarabeth Shorter of Rocky Mount; stepchildren, Gerald H. Lacy and his wife Janette of Rustburg, and Ray Dodson, Mike Dodson, Alisha Shelor; grandchildren, Michelle Johnson, Luke Hogan; stepgrandchildren, Timothy Lacy, Stephanie Lacy, Derek Lacy; great-granddaughter, Toni Johnson; sisters, Joann S. Baker and her husband Ed of Daleville, and Rebecca S. Baker and her husband Michael of Buchanan; and many nieces; and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at Rader Funeral Home, Daleville, with the Rev. Charlie Haley and Pastor Mary Detrick officiating. Interment will be in Daleville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Masonic rites beginning at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Kazim Temple Children's Hospital, 628 Campbell Ave., Roanoke, Va., 24016-3596.