Naomi "Catherine" Stewart-Short of Beckley, formerly of Baileysville and Matheny, lost her battle with cancer and congestive heart disease; she departed this life Tuesday, October 23, 2012. She was a 1958 graduate of Oceana High School. She attended Concord University and was employed by Wyoming County Schools as a school secretary. Catherine had a great love of music. In addition to playing various instruments in the Oceana High School band, she was an accomplished pianist and teacher. It was not uncommon for her piano playing to fill the house. Though she may have been passionate about music, Catherine's true passion was that of being a loving wife, mother and grandmother to her four children and three grandchildren. All who knew her would agree that Catherine's light truly shined when she was performing the loving and caring task of wife, mother and grandmother. Her light shall continue to shine on through these children and all to follow.

Born October 7, 1939, Catherine was the daughter of the late Ralph Emerson Stewart, Sr. (1909-1997) and Beulah D. Elkins-Stewart (1920-2000).

Catherine is survived by her husband of 53 years, Eddie "Joe" Short (1936-2020) whom she married on March 27, 1959 in Hatcher, Wyoming County, WV (per WV Marriage License Register, Wyoming County, WV, 1959,Page 515, Application Date: March 14, 1959). Also surviving are her children, Greg Short of Manassas, Va., Chuck and Judy Short of Perryville, Ky., Myra Short of Beckley, Jeanne Short and Sherry White of Virginia Beach, Va.; one grandson, Tyler; two granddaughters, Kaile and Mackenzie; and one brother, Ralph "Emerson" Stewart, Jr. of Matheny.

A celebration of Catherine's life will be held 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Evans Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, Oceana. The Rev. James Milam will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 26, 2012 at the funeral home.