Alberta F. Short

Alberta Fannie Short was born to the late James Wilkins and Othetta Camp Wilkins on August 25, 1936, in Forest City, High Shoals, North Carolina. As a young child, she moved with her parents to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they lived until her mother’s untimely death. Although she missed her mother, she continued to be surrounded with love and care. She was nurtured by her cousins Ruby and Charles Wilson of Hampton, Virginia with their two daughters, and later by her Aunt Fleeta and Uncle Levi Smith in Shoal Creek, North Carolina where she rounded out the family as their twelfth child. Educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, Hampton and Shoal Creek. Alberta was an outstanding student consistently ranked at the top of her class. In 1953, as she approached her senior year of high school, Alberta moved to Chester to live with her beloved guardian, “Aunt Mae” Robinson. She graduated from Chester High School in 1954. In 1964, Alberta was joined in holy matrimony to the love of her life Paul Theodore Short, Jr. They were blessed with one child, Tracy Alberta. When Paul was tragically killed in war, Alberta devoted her life to raising and supporting the endeavors of her daughter. In 1988, Tracy gave her mother the son she’d always wanted, when she married Ronald Pinkett. Some years later, Alberta found deep and abiding friendship with her longtime companion, “Mr. Sammie” McNeil, Sr. Together, they traveled the world and enjoyed entertaining family and friends at summer cookouts held at her home. Alberta worked for a number of area companies. Her longest periods of employment were at the Franklin Mint (14 years) and Boeing Helicopter, where she retired in 2001, after 17 years of service. In each of her posts, she touched the lives of those around her with her friendliness, sincere caring, and forthright candor. At the age of 13 Alberta accepted Christ as her savior and was baptized at Shoal Creek Baptist Church. She was active in Sunday School, the Youth Choir, and the Usher Board until moving to Chester. Once in Chester, she joined St. Luke Community Christian Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Roland Bell, where her enthusiasm and love for the Lord and the church continued to grow. In the St. Luke vineyard, she displayed leadership while serving in many capacities: President of the Young Adult Choir for five years; attending the United Council of C.C. Churches Conference as one of St. Luke’s first two youth delegates; General Chair of Women’s Day; the Kitchen Committee; and as a member of the Women’s Christian Service Council. She remained an active presence at St. Luke until her health no longer allowed. On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Alberta surrendered to the Master’s beck and call. She peacefully slipped away from life in her earthly body and into the presence of the Lord, following a prolonged illness. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved guardian, “Aunt Mae” W. Robinson. Left to cherish her memory and uphold her legacy are her daughter, Tracy Short Pinkett (Ronald P., Sr.); grandsons, Ronald “RJ” Pinkett, Jr., and Paul J. Pinkett, Preston Jackson II, Torrey Jackson, Shayla Jackson; a great-grandson, Dylan Cooper; step-children, Darrell Jackson (Betty), Preston Jackson(Grace), Patricia Cunningham, Toni Jackson; cousin/siblings, Versia Gilmore, Willie Mae Miller, John Smith(Merlene), Levi B. Smith, Waymon J. Smith, Gwendolyn Campbell (Marsh), and Ruby Stevenson; goddaughter, Yvette Jordan; sisters-in-law, Pauline J. Jordan, B. Regina Short, and Constance D. Short, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Alberta F. Short

August 25, 1936 - October 1, 2024