Harold Shortridge

HAROLD SHORTRIDGE, age 79, of Cedar Bluff, Virginia, formerly of Rowe, Virginia went to be with the Lord on Tuesday (July 18, 2023) at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Virginia.
Born January 15, 1944 in Rowe, Virginia, he was a son of the late Ernest and Watie Blankenship Shortridge. He spent his early life in Rowe, Virginia prior to moving to Cedar Bluff in 2009. He was a retired coal miner, having been employed by Pittston Coal Company and was a member of the UMWA. He loved going to church and was a member of Jones Chapel Free Pentecostal Church. He liked watching NASCAR and was a fan of the Wood Brothers and he often commented that he was "21 Forever". A devoted husband and father, he enjoyed history and talking to people, but most of all, spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Geneva Shepard and Opal Rowe and three brothers, Emory Shortridge, Mike Shortridge and Harley Shortridge.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-two years, Sandra Fleming Shortridge; son, Brian F. Shortridge of Buchanan County, Virginia; three brothers, Robert Shortridge and wife, Mildred of Abingdon, Virginia, Ralph Shortridge and wife, Sue and Don Shortridge both of Rowe, Virginia; one sister, Dean Harris of Rowe, Virginia; special friends, Bill Richardson, Chuck Phipps and Debbie Cordle; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Leon O'Quinn and Rev. Brad Cook officiating. Interment followed in the Blankenship-Rowe Cemetery at Rowe, Virginia. UMWA Honors were conducted by UMWA Sub-28 Chaplain Corps.
Pallbearers were Bill Richardson, Chuck Phipps, Bob Hale, Steven Davis, Josh Campbell and Danny Horton.
Honorary pallbearers were Joseph Fletcher, Todd Whited, Tommy Shortridge, Johnny Rowe, Huey Matney and Julius Miller.
The family received friends after 6 p.m. Friday at Honaker Funeral Home where an evening song service was conducted at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ms. Teresa's Children's Programs at The Buchanan County Public Library, 1185 Poe Town Street, Grundy, Virginia 24614. Harold enjoyed reading and books. He would love knowing that all children would have access to books and educational programs.
Online condolences may be made atwww.honakerfuneralhome.net.