As the sun peaked through the clouds on a beautiful fall day, Heaven received an angel on the morning of Friday, September 26, 2025. Surrounded by friends and family, she passed away quietly. Jean fought a courageous battle against stage IV colon cancer.

Jean Short was born in Virginia Beach, VA to the parents of Dr. Walter and Barbara Gant. She was a graduate of York High School were she excelled at many sports, but it was her love of field hockey that provided her a scholarship to Appalachian State University. Later, she transferred to David Lipscomb University where she received her degree in Early Childhood Education. She then earned her masters from William and Mary and graduated with honors. From there, she pursued her life long dream of becoming a third grade teacher at Coventry Elementary. She spent 34 years at Coventry as a mentor to so many students and staff. Her dedication to teaching and to children was awe-inspiring.

Jean married Forrest Preston Short of Smithfield, VA and they had a fairy tell marriage for 22 years. They resided in York County. Jean enjoyed teaching, playing cards with her friends, traveling, fishing, and spending time with family and her church. She was a member of Northside Christian Church in Yorktown, VA  for 26 years and volunteered in many areas within the church, primarily in child care.

She is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Walter Gant of Nashville, TN, father-in-law Howard P. Short and mother-in-law Shirley D. Short of Smithfield, Va.

Survivors include her husband Forrest P. Short, her mother Barbara Gant, her two beautiful, wonderful children that brought so much joy and happiness to her life, Preston Lee Short and Peyton Lee Short, step-daughter Ainsley L. Short, sisters Cindy Ball and Patricia Bentley, sister-in-law Priscilla Osterhouse, brother-in-law Mason Ball, niece Barbara Lee Ball, nephews Robert Lee Ball, Michael Lee Bentley, and Austin Lee Bentley, her faithful dog Harley and seldom seen cat Mittens.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, October 11th at 4:00 P.M. at Northside Christian Church (1300 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, VA 23693).

The family would like to thank the following-The doctors and staff at Riverside Cancer Center, her church family at Northside Christian Church, her Church Community Group, Laura Llewellyn, Becky Frodsham, Tracey Patrick, Myra Ingram, Debbie Johnson, Kathy Mehr, her neighbors in the Running Man Community and especially the entire staff of Coventry Elementary.

In lieu of flowers, Jean requested contributions be made to the Northside Christian Church Children's Ministry.

"Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won't become weary. They will walk and won't grow tired." Isaiah 40:31