Obituary of Juel Rae Short

Juel Rae (Adams) Short, 92 years of age, of Butte Valley, California, passed away on the 5th of August, 2021. Her daughter, Carolyn was with her when she passed.

Judy was born on November 4th, 1928 to Ray and Myrtle Adams, in Fresno, California. After graduating from Burlingame High School, Judy went on to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Development from Fresno State and San Jose State, graduating in 1951.

Judy began an elementary teaching career with Salinas Independent School District. Judy met her Husband, Merton Short in Carmel, California at Mission Ranch. They married in 1954 in Reno, Nevada. Shortly thereafter, Merton, a Naval Aviator Test Pilot, was transferred to Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland. The young couple moved to Solomons Island, Maryland where Judy began teaching for the Solomons Island Catholic School, working mainly with children with developmental needs.

The couple had two daughters, Suzanne (1962) and Carolyn (1965). Judy served as a full-time mother and spouse. Judy continued to tutor elementary school children in reading and language arts out of her home, throughout numerous military moves.

In 1976, the couple returned to California permanently. This allowed their daughters to finish high school and begin college in the Durham/Chico area.

In the late 1980s, Judy began teaching English as a Second Language and Adult Remedial Reading Classes at Butte College. She then returned to campus and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from California State University, Chico in 1991.

Judy remained passionate about literacy and became the most influential person in establishing the Durham Friends of the Library in 1994, serving as the President of the group for four years, and volunteering with this group and the Butte Literacy Council for 15 years. She was passionate about reading and literacy and loved these two organizations. She made it her mission to improve the lives of others through reading.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Myrtle Adams, her sister, Shirley Adams Angus, and her Husband of 57 years Merton Short.

Judy is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Short (of Butte Valley, CA), Suzanne Short Adkinson and her husband, Jeff Adkinson, and their four children and one grandchild. Allie (31) and her daughter Charlie Day (4), Will (28) of Pensacola, FL, Ty (18) of College Station, TX and Tori (15) of Blanco, TX.

Judy was a beaming light to those who knew her. We will miss her greatly.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests, donations of any amount, made to the Butte County Library, Friends of Literacy Services Fund, a 501c3. Checks can be sent to:

BCL Friends of Literacy
c/o Literacy Services
1820 Mitchell Ave
Oroville, CA, 95966

A Funeral Service will be held at the Durham Community United Methodist Church (Durham Adobe Church), 2402 Durham-Dayton Hwy, Durham, CA 95938, on Monday, the 16th of August, at 2:00pm, followed by a Family Members Grave Side Service at Glen Oaks Memorial Park, 11115 Midway, Chico, CA 95928. Culminating in a meal, provided by, and located at the Durham Adobe Church. The Church Service portion of this celebration will also be available via Zoom at the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9960283313.