Mary Lou Wilson Shortridge

Mary Lou Wilson Shortridge, age 97, passed away at her home on Sunday, August 18, 2024. Her passing was six days short of her 98th birthday. She was the daughter of the late Carl H. Wilson and Mary Kate Turner Wilson. Mary Lou lived all her years in Richlands. She was a 1943 graduate of Richlands High School during the beginning of World War II. At that time, she worked for Jackson Drug Store. She would talk about how the shortage of regular food items affected the soda fountain. She disliked serving ice milk, a replacement for cream, during the war. It was colder than ice cream, harder to get in a cone or a milkshake and froze her hands. She never considered powdered milk in her later years for her own family as that was a staple during the war years. It did not compare in taste to milk. Every time Veterans’ Day came, she would remember many of her classmates that went off to war. Several went without finishing their senior year. Many did not return home. Some of those that did were given their diplomas. As a child, she played with several neighborhood children. They rode scooters and bicycles and played games till dark in the Lee Street area. In fact, she wore out a couple of scooters before she got a bicycle that she shared with her sister Mildred. She and her older sister Mildred would catch the train at Richlands Station and ride to Cliffield to visit their grandparents, the Turners and their aunts at the Turner farm when their mom would allow. With her passing, much of the early history of Richlands went with her. She became a single parent when her son, Mike, was in college and her daughter, Donna, was in Junior High School. She worked at Mattie Williams as a receptionist and switchboard operator. She made sure that both of her children were able to attend and graduate college. She also purchased her family home on Grayson Avenue on her own. She suffered multiple hardships and struggles during her adult life. She over came those and became an independent woman. She was a member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings: Mildred Wilson Hankins and her husband, W.H. (Bill); Carlene Wilson Lacy and her husband, Rudy; brother, C. H. Wilson and wife, Sylvia; grandson, Glenn Michael Shortridge; son-in-law, Leonard Altizer; and former husband, Billy Donald Shortridge. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Surviving is her son: William Michael Shortridge and wife, Susie of Pounding Mill, VA; and daughter and caregiver, Donna Altizer and boyfriend, Harlan Jones of Richlands, VA. Two grandsons: William Matthew Shortridge and wife, Laura; and Andrew Altizer and wife, Desiray. Nieces, Sarah Lacy Butter and husband, John; and Katherine Lacy Cleary and husband, Kevin. Many other nieces and nephews also survive. The family wants to thank the entire staff of Legacy Hospice, especially Susie Stiltner CNA, nurses, the two Becky’s, Becky Walters and Becky Casey, Sarah Ellis, Donna Beavers, Jessica Whited, Regina Rose and Kristen Whitt. Without these caring individuals, our journey would have been impossible. As a first-time caregiver they listened to my questions, answered my phone calls at any hour, gave hugs, and managed tears compassionately. Mom was treated like a princess. They quickly became our extended loving family. Graveside services for Mary Lou Wilson Shortridge will be conducted at 11:30 am on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum #4 in Claypool Hill, Virginia with Rev. Dr. Curtis Fussell officiating. Entombment will follow. Pallbearers will be: Andrew Altizer, Matt Shortridge, Brad Billips, Randy Smith, Eugene Ringstaff, Scott Spivey, and Gene Hurst. The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:30am at the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, make donations to the American Heart Association, Legacy Hospice, St. Jude's, or a charity of your choosing. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Mary Lou Wilson Shortridge

August 24, 1926 - August 18, 2024