NIOLEN RAY SHORTT

Niolen Ray Shortt of Spotsylvania, passed away peacefully at home and walked into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. He was 92 and a half years old.
Ray was born in the Appalachian hills of Clintwood to Teddy and Lydia Shortt. On November 16, 1953 at the age of 21, he married the love of his life, Helen. He had five children, and they had many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Ray served his country in the United States Army for six years, became a Corporal, and was honorably discharged. He was a Korean War veteran and a member of American Legion Post 136 in Damascus. He was also a member of Fellowship Baptist Church for many years, where he taught Sunday school, served as a Deacon, and drove the church bus.
Ray worked in the lumber business his whole life and was Vice President of Fairfax Lumber and Millwork for many years. In his retirement, he drove a school bus for Washington County in Abingdon.
Ray loved God, his family, and his friends above all. He also had a deep love for fellowship, nature (specifically trees and corn fields), the mountains, the beach, gardening, viewing the stars and moon, planes and their flight patterns, cutting grass, sports (especially the Redskins), trucks, and tinkering. He will always be remembered as a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather, and friend with a beautiful heart.
He is survived by his children, Kathy Schwalm (Mary Lou), Terry Shortt, Lynne Shortt, Tim Shortt (Charmaine), and Kevin Shortt (Mariann); grandchildren, Joey, Carrie, Nikki, Ashley, Ryan, Madeline and Simon; great-grandchildren, Joey, Jr., Jesse, Lexi, Alysa, Mayci, Elan, Cameron, Nayely, Huck, Wilder and Camilla; great-great-grandchildren, Maggie Harper and Skarlett; and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen Shortt; father, Teddy Shortt; mother, Lydia Shortt; brothers, Milford Shortt and Jonah Shortt; sisters, Oma Renninger, Shirley Orr, and Ruth Campbell; daughter in-law, Cathy Shortt; and grandson, Justin Ray Tyler.
The family received friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A graveside service was held at 12 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025 at Culpeper National Cemetery. A celebration of life was held from 2 to 4 p.m. after the interment at Summer Lake Clubhouse, 11190 Savannah Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22407. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Foundation.
Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.