Daughter of Everett and Artie Ester (Pruett) Shortt Dortha Luann (Shortt) Lea, age 49, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2006, in her Douglas County home.
She was born Jan. 5, 1957, in Springfield, the daughter of Everett and Artie Ester (Pruett) Shortt. Luann attended primary and secondary schools in Ava. She completed St. John’s School of Nursing and subsequently worked in area hospitals; her primary areas were neonatology and emergency medicine. At the time of her death, she was near completion of her English degree at Drury University. Her next goal was to teach English in a rural Ozark setting.
Luann was an honor student at Drury, an avid reader, collector of books, an amateur painter, photographer, and lover of all living things, with a special love for cats.
Memberships include Daughters of the American Revolution, Carl Neiman Chapter, Ava, Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, and Eastern Gate Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, John Randall Lea, of the home; three stepchildren, Elaine C. Lea and Clair E. Lea, both of Columbia, and Paul C. Lea, Nashville, Tenn.; a sister, Wanda Lavon Hutchinson and husband, Larry; a niece, Tammy Gunter and husband, Darryll, and children, Lindsey and Jonathan Mitchell; a brother, Hillis Lee Shortt and wife, Diann; a nephew, Ralph Hutchinson and wife, Melissa, and children Danne, Nathan, and Ethan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Pat Nelson.
Visitation was Sunday, April 16, in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. Funeral services were Monday, April 17, in Eastern Gate Missionary Baptist Church, Ava, with the Revs. James Orick and Joe Lafferty officiating. Burial followed in Harvill Cemetery, under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.
