Jo Ann Shortridge, 87, went to her heavenly home on the morning of June 26, 2026.
Born on Aug. 6, 1938, in Baltimore, MD, Jo Ann was the beloved daughter of the late Louis P. and Margaret Lenz. She grew up in Baltimore, graduated from Western High School, and spent most of her life in Maryland. While working at Sealtest Dairy, she met the love of her life, James “Jimmie” Shortridge. They were married in 1966 and shared a devoted marriage until his passing. In 1991, they retired to the mountains of West Virginia, where they built a life filled with faith, family, and cherished friendships.
Jo Ann was a woman of unwavering faith and a member of the Frankford United Methodist Church. She faithfully read and studied the Bible with Jimmie and found great joy in serving her church. She especially enjoyed the monthly fellowship dinners and helping make Easter eggs each spring. She also lovingly created dedication boxes for children in the community, quietly touching many lives with her kindness and generosity.
She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. Ocean City, Maryland, held a special place in her heart, where she loved spending time at the beach and enjoying soft shell crabs. She was an avid reader with a special fondness for Harlequin romance novels. She loved planting a garden each spring and took pride in canning tomatoes and green beans from her harvest.
Family was always at the center of Jo Ann’s life. Her homemade potato salad, prepared from a treasured recipe handed down through her German heritage, and her sweet iced tea became favorites at family gatherings. Those simple acts of love, shared around her table, created memories that her family will forever treasure. She also had a special love for dogs and deeply missed her beloved Bonnie, who passed away in 2023.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Louis P. and Margaret Lenz, her beloved husband, James “Jimmie” Shortridge, and her brother, George Lenz.
She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Daniel Shortridge and wife Amy, of Baltimore, MD, her daughter, Kathy Shortridge Hunter and husband, David, of Cornstalk, her grandchildren, Emma and Henry Shortridge of Baltimore, MD, Charles Burke and fiancée, Lyndsey Presley of NC, Amanda and Tom Cannon of Cornstalk, and LaTasha and Brandon Owens of Renick, her great-grandchildren Cameron Hunter Cannon, Dana Cannon, Bryson Owens, Abraham Owens and Charleigh Owens and her great-great grandson, Jameson Hunter Cannon; sisters-in-law Loretta Anders and husband Bobby, of Silver Spring, MD, and Dorothy Owens of Baltimore, MD; along with many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Jo Ann will be remembered for her gentle heart, steadfast faith, and unconditional love for her family, She found joy not in grand things, but in the everyday blessings of life – a garden in bloom, a good book, a meal shared with loved ones, and the opportunity to serve others. Her quiet kindness, warm smile, and loving spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Though her family grieves her passing, they rejoice in knowing she is reunited with her beloved Jimmie and is forever at peace in the presence of her Lord and Savior.
Services celebrating the life of Jo Ann will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 2 p.m. at the Wallace & Wallace Mausoleum in Clintonville. Visitation with the family will be from 1 to 2 p.m., immediately preceding the service.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
