Susan Short

Susan Pillow Short, a beloved wife, mother, and friend, died in her home on January 5th, 2023. She was 70 years old. 
 
She leaves two daughters, Rachel Short Minton (Luke) and Jessica Short (Stephen Zerne); her younger sisters Kathi Prather (Bill) and Charlotte Wiseman (Paul).  She also leaves nieces: Addie Wiseman, Brittany Prather, and nephews: Blake Steed, Seth Prather (Lindsey), and Dustin Harris.
 
She is preceded in death by her mother, Joanne Moore Jones, father Will Jerry Pillow, sister, Deborah Harris, brother, Michael Pillow, and her son, James Allen.  
 
Susan Norine Pillow was born in Milan, Tennessee May 18, 1952.  She attended Milan High School and in 1968 she gave birth to her son, James Marvin Allen III. She attended Jackson State Community College and later graduated from the University of Memphis in 1976. 
 
In May 1979, she married Steve Short of Milan, TN. They returned to Milan where she had an impressive career as a pharmacist, first at Flippen’s Drugstore and then Milan General Hospital.
 
During her career she served as director of pharmacy at Milan General before retiring from Regional Hospital in Jackson.  She and Steve raised two daughters, Rachel and Jessica, and their nephew, Dustin Harris.  
 
Susan was a voracious reader with an extensive book collection. She had a quick wit and an infectious laugh. She loved gardening, reading science fiction, writing, and traveling with her family. She was inspired by poetry and music, and she and Steve made art the center of their travels, cruising down the Blues Highway and route 66, among some of their many adventures. She loved to visit botanical gardens, and she created her own magical garden in her own backyard. She loved animals and riding horses. 
 
She worked very hard to support her daughters and husband. She was an avid supporter of the arts and a patron to the local museums including the Dixon and the Frist. She had an endless curiosity about the world around her and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and loved learning whether it was history, art, music, or literature. Like her husband, Steve, she believed strongly in standing up for equality and advocating for the disadvantaged. 
 
The family appreciates the love and support in the shared loss of Susan, who cared deeply for her family.   
 
A celebration of life will be held January 21, 2023 at the Milan United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM.  A reception will follow.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to;
The Milan High School Alumni Association, milanalumni.org
The Memphis Botanical Gardens, membg.org
 
Bodkin Funeral Home
731-686-3111