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https://vimeo.com/800612825 https://www.flipsnack.com/alcbf/claudine-shorter-obituary.html Claudine Brooks was born on October 15, 1932, to Mr. Young Brooks and Mrs. Minnie Owens Brooks in Egypt, Texas. Claudine was the third of four children born to this union. Upon the tragic loss of her parents in 1936, she and two of her siblings were reared in the home of their grandmother, Mrs. Annie Bell Cash Brooks, their aunt, Mrs. Justina Brooks Campbell, and her husband, Mr. Clyde Campbell. Claudine accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized and united with the Sand Ridge Baptist Church in 1945 under the pastorate of the late Reverend B. J. Williams. Little did she know that one of the converts baptized with her would later become her husband. Claudine began her formal education in Egypt, Texas. She was an exceptional student with great promise. Her family moved to Texas City, where she attended the historic Ball High School, Galveston, Texas. Later, Claudine enrolled in the Powell Point School, Kendleton, Texas, where she graduated top of her 1950 class. After graduation, she furthered her education at Samuel Huston College, Austin, Texas. In 1952, Samuel Huston College merged with neighboring Tillotson College becoming Huston-Tillotson College. Claudine was a 1954 honor graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a minor in Chemistry. She received her Master of Secondary Education from Texas Southern University in 1962. Additional postgraduate instruction came from the University of Houston and extension classes from University of Texas and St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. June 20, 1954, was a memorable day. Claudine was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, the Reverend Coby Shorter, Jr. They were married at the Twentieth Century Baptist District Tabernacle by the Reverend Henry Davis, Sr. To this union, three children were born, Sheryl Deniese, Beryl Elyese, and Coby III. The Shorter home, whether in Houston, Wharton, or Eagle Lake was a place of refuge and nurturing for the family and all whom they touched. The Shorter home was a dedicated Christian space deeply committed to service. As Pastor Shorter served the Grove Hill Baptist Church, Crescent Community and later the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, Pin Oak Community, Mrs. Shorter and the family were by his side. In 1956, a new chapter of service unfolded. Pastor Shorter accepted the call to the Union Baptist Church No. 2, Eagle Lake, Texas. Twelve years later the merged church became the Providence Baptist Church, and the rest is a rich history. Sister Shorter nurtured her family in the church while she became a leading pillar in the congregation. She was active in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, and she served as an adult advisor for the Young Women’s Auxiliary (YWA). She served in Senior Mission I, Senior Mission II, and the Bible Band. Sister Shorter also served on the program committee, as the church corresponding secretary, and later assisted the church finance committee along with whatever administrative functions the church needed. Her church work did not stop at Providence. Sister Shorter was also active in the work of the Independent Missionary Baptist General Association of Texas. She served as an adult advisor for the district’s YWA and was active in Senior Mission I and the Bible Band Auxiliaries. God’s plan for Sister Shorter was not limited to the church. He spread greatness through her in all that she did, most especially the classroom. Her teaching career began in the Houston Independent School District in 1955 as a substitute teacher. In 1956, she began teaching at Powell Point High School in Kendleton, Texas where she taught science, physical education, and typing. Her service in the Eagle Lake Independent and Rice Consolidated Independent School Districts began at E. H. Henry in 1963. This service included instruction in first grade, third grade science, high school physical education, junior high mathematics, and elementary courses in the Rice District GED program. Her number of years of service in the education profession came to thirty-five years when she retired in 1990. Beyond the church and classroom, Mrs. Claudine Shorter held membership in numerous organizations. For over 72 years, she was a member of the St. Roseway Chapter # 102 of the Order of Eastern Stars. On January 10, 1952, she was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at Samuel Huston College. In honoring her dedication to Delta, Claudine became a Diamond Life member of the sorority where she held membership in Bay City Alumnae Chapter and was a chartering member of the Suburban Houston – Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter. Mrs. Shorter was a member of the Texas State Teachers Association, and upon her retirement in 1990, she joined the Colorado County Retired Teachers Association. Mrs. Shorter found time to give back to the Eagle Lake community as a leader. She served as a board member of the Eagle Lake United Way; however, her most treasured service was to the 4-H Club. In 1968, she and fifteen other local mothers formed the Eagle Lake 4-H Club and its support group, the mothers’ club. She distinguished herself as a devoted adult volunteer and club manager serving for over fifty-three years. Her commitment to 4-H was recognized in 2000 with the Texas 4-H Leader Legacy Award. Mrs. Shorter’s accolades and honors are too numerous to tell; however, she was named Lady of the Year by Xi Pi Psi and Alpha Delta Phi Sororities, listed as Who’s Who Among American Teachers in 1996 and 2000, and was named the Grand Marshall of the Eagle Lake Christmas Parade in 2009. She loved “All Things Eagle Lake.” Mrs. Claudine B. Shorter was faithful in her walk with God. Her service to the kingdom of God will be missed, but she will be rewarded in eternity. On Monday morning, February 13, 2023, she entered into the presence of God to join her husband, Reverend Coby Shorter, Jr., her parents, Mr. Young Brooks and Mrs. Minnie Brooks, her grandmother, Mrs. Annie Bell Brooks, her foster parents Mr. Clyde Campbell and Mrs. Justina Campbell, her siblings, Mrs. Annie Bell Brooks Jones, Mr. Rush Brooks, Sr. and Mr. Robert Brooks, her “sister-cousin” Mrs. Sarah Godfrey Giles and her husband, Mr. Lee Andrew Giles, as well as other family and friends. Left to celebrate her legacy are her loving and devoted children, Sheryl D. Henry (Rudolph) of Wharton, Beryl E. Shorter of Houston, and Coby Shorter, III (Patricia) of Pflugerville; six grandchildren, Kirsten D. Henry, Krystle D. Henry, Chelir E. Mule-Kivindyo (Cosmus), Ulysses Grady, III, Alyssa Claudea A. Cheetham-West (Chris) and Coby Shorter, IV; five great grandchildren Keleigh D. Stafford, Parker M. Paxton, Cosmus M. Kivindyo, Caiden A. Cheetham-West and Beryl M. Mule-Kivindyo; a brother in law, Mr. William Shorter of Texas City; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and the Providence Baptist Church family.

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Claudine Brooks Shorter

October 15, 1932 - February 13, 2023