Merle Shortlidge

Merle Miller Shortlidge, 93, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at the Brighter Living Assisted Living in Hopewell. A native of Columbia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Edward R. and Elizabeth Cranford Miller. She was the widow of Thomas F. Shortlidge, and was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Skenes. Merle was a long time and faithful member of the Wesley United Methodist Church. She is survived by two sons, John R. Shortlidge and wife, Cindy of Colonial Heights and Thomas E. Shortlidge and wife, Paula of Orlando, Florida; a daughter, Carole Ann Livesay and husband, David of Jacksonville, Florida; grandsons, Marshall Johnson III of Dendron, Jamey T. Shortlidge of Colonial Heights, Robert T. Shortlidge and Tyler W. Shortlidge of Orlando, Florida; and granddaughters, Macon Nicole Johnson of Jacksonville, Florida , Alexa Lynn Shortlidge of Colonial Heights and a nephew Robert Skenes of Jacksonville, Florida. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2014 at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 3701 Conduit Rd., Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Burial to follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday March 5, 2014 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church or the American Lung Association, 9221 Forest Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23235. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.