Linda Lou Shorter

Linda Lou (Erving) Shorter affectionately known as Lou of North Carolina passed away March 14th, 2026, suddenly and peacefully in her home, with her daughter, her son-in-law, and 3 Grandsons. She attended Freeport Schools. She was born August 24th, 1948, in West Mississippi to Tonnie Erving and Geneva (Gennie) Erving. She retired from Honeywell. She was a faithful servant For God, and a dedicated president of the usher board for many years at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist church of Freeport Illinois, until she moved to North Carolina to finish her spiritual Journey with her daughter. She was Momma to many and was the best soul food cooking queen that you'd ever want to meet. She was deeply loved and cherished and she will be dearly missed. She married the love of her life Barnell Shorter, and their home was a revolving door where everyone would stop and chat and get many laughs, and she would also get them a plate.

Linda leaves to cherish her Memories Son Carlos Erving , and her daughter Charita (Richard Alexander), and A bonus son Ralph (Teresa ) Alvoid; 12 grandchildren: Shantell Smith whom she helped raise, Devin Gossett our (Buke) whom she raised as her own son, Chakiya Gossett whom she raised, Marquis Chatman, Tyree Shorter whom she helped raise, Tymarius Alexander whom she called prince and went that extra mile to give exceptional care for his NANNA. She expressed many times her gratitude for his love and kindness, Keonte Barnell Alexander, whom she called her baby of the bunch, Ondrea Alvoid, Quintis Alvoid, Tiara Farr & Tiona Farr, and Cody Farr; her sister Loretta (Garland) Pruitt of Freeport Illinois, and her younger sister Lynnellen Peterson of Rockford Illinois. In her final years, her daughter and her Son-in-law Richard Alexander welcomed and took care of her in their home with the help of her three grandsons, Tymarius, Tyree, and Keonte. A huge thanks to Shabriel Scott for being a dedicated caregiver. She had a wonderful support system.

She was preceded in death by Her husband Barnell Shorter, her sister Genola McClellan, her brother Curtis Erving, and both of her parents.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 4th, 2026, at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 602 South Chicago Ave in Freeport Illinois at 1:00 pm, with visitation at 11 AM until time of service. Following that will be the repass at 210 W. Spring, at the Farm Bureau in Freeport.