Loretta Sue Short

Loretta “Sue” Kinnison Short, 83 years old, of Independence, Missouri, died April 16, 2024, after a long-term illness followed by a short-term bout with pancreatic cancer. Sue was born and raised in Pleasant Hill, MO. She grew up with a close-knit group of friends that continue to gather for high school reunions every couple of years. When she was eight years old, her cousin Margaret came to live with her family and became a cherished older sister. Sue met Tom met at a football game in Pleasant Hill and he soon became a fixture at family events. Sue and Tom celebrated 65 years of marriage two weeks ago. They were married at Pleasant Hill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and moved to Independence following their marriage.

Sue loved to drive and for several years she drove a school bus serving the Independence Public Schools. She retired after 20 years of service as a school secretary at Richardson, Manchester and Korte Elementary Schools in Kansas City.

Sue established deep roots in Independence, becoming a lifelong member of Eastgate Christian Church (DOC), serving in a wide-range of ministries, from teaching adults and youth Sunday School, helping with VBS, serving as an elder, committee chair, leading small groups and playing in the bell choir. She was for many years deeply involved with Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF)/Disciples Women’s Ministry (DWM). She attended the week-long CWF Quadrennial Assemblies from the early 1970s until 2014. She dived into mission work, studying for three weeks in Israel and going on a DWM Woman-to-Woman Worldwide trip to China with her close friend Peggy Gray. These trips were just a taste of what the future would bring for Sue. In 1997, another close friend, Rev. Karen Yount, asked Sue if she would like to serve on a short-term mission trip to Venezuela. Sue said yes and continued to say yes as the focus moved to Haiti supporting the National Spiritual Council of Haitian Churches (CONASPEH). Between 2000 and 2010, Sue traveled to Haiti more than 10 times, walking in solidarity with the Haitian people. Listening to their stories and seeing them fully. She believed in the Haitian proverb-What the eye can not see, can not move the heart! She saw Haiti in all its contradictions and her heart was moved. Sue would do a multitude of jobs, anything that didn’t require heavy lifting that is—she also believed in knowing your limits. She loved to laugh and she loved God, Tom, her children, her grandchildren, her family and friends with a fierce passion. She was a servant all her days.

Sue is survived by her loving husband Tom (Independence); son, Wesley and his wife, Renee (Independence); daughter, Loretta Loyd and her husband, David (Austin, TX); grandson, Andrew Short (Independence); granddaughter, Danielle Short (Columbus, OH); grandson, Ian Loyd and his wife, Roxana (Austin, TX); grandson, Aaron Loyd (Austin, TX); brother, Carson Kinnison and his wife, Merial (Pleasant Hill, MO); cousin, Margaret Bowen (Pleasant Hill, MO); sisters-in-law, Ida Wilkerson, Myrtle Green and Patty Struemph and her husband, Joe.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Jessie Speir Kinnison; her father Dallas Kinnison, her stepmother Doris Kinnison, and her niece, Denise Kinnison Gentry.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 22, 2024 at 9:00 am at Speaks Memorial Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St. S., Independence, MO, followed by the funeral service at 10:00 am. Officiant: Rev. Rhonda Hetzel; Pallbearers: Andrew Short, Ian Loyd, Danielle Short, Aaron Loyd, Guy Kinnison, and Stephen Gentry; Honorary Pallbearer: Jim Goble. Graveside services at Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery, 806 SE 3rd St., Lee’s Summit, MO.

Memorial donations my be made to Eastgate Christian Church, Independence, MO; Alzheimer's Association and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Special thanks to the nursing staff in the back unit at Independence Manor Care Center, especially Tiffany and to Ascend Hospice of Lee’s Summit, MO for walking this final journey with Sue.

Micah 8:6: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you; But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.