Geneva B. ''Tootsy'' Short was born to William Bradley Richards and Ruby G. Billings Richards September 19, 1936, and died September 12, 2021. As a young child, she attended the one-room schoolhouse in Tarpley, and was a graduate of Bandera High School. During her school years, she excelled academically, was a member of National Honor Society, and participated in a variety of extracurricular activities. She was a majorette for the Bulldog Band, and taught many twirlers who followed her.
Tootsy married her high school sweetheart, Joe Hunter Short in 1954, and worked as the secretary to the Commander at the Hondo Air Base while he was overseas in the Army. It was a job she took great pride in. Upon his return stateside, they moved to the Bandera area. In 1960, she gave birth to Cynthia Jo, and in 1964, Joseph Bradley was born. During their childhood, she was a homemaker and supportive stock show and rodeo mom. With the rest of the family involved in raising Hampshire sheep, she joined in, showing at many of the area fairs. She was active in the PTA, and was a room mother for one or the other child throughout their early school years. As her children got older, Tootsy went back to work, setting type at the Bandera Bulletin, and then as the Show Secretary for Shelton Ranches in Kerrville. This was a job she loved, helping set up the horse sales, and booking major country entertainers to perform at them.
Tootsy had always enjoyed gardening, and in retirement, turned her attention to her huge yard and spending time with her cherished pets. After her diagnosis of Alzheimer's, she moved to Fort Clark Springs, at Brackettville, to be close to her daughter. She developed many friendships there and loved the herd of Axis deer that frequented the green space behind her house. She overcame many obstacles in her life, and while she fought a long hard fight, the one she just couldn't overcome was her second bout of cancer.
She is preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband, a grandson, Tait Short, and cherished cousin, Clay Billings.
She is survived by her son, Joe Brad Short (and Esther Kuykendall), and his sons J.C. (and wife, Adyson), Connor Short (and wife, Jessica), and Ian Short, as well as step-grandson, Christopher Barnet (and wife, Sarah, and their 3 children). She is also survived by her daughter Cindy Short Edwards (and husband, Randy), and their son Bradley Edwards (and Morgan Carey), as well as her best friend, her little rescue dog, Charlie.
A graveside service will be held on September 27, 2021 at 10:00 am at Bandera Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera, Texas.
Maverick Hospice nurses Christopher, Griselda, Erica, and Julie attended her medical needs in her final years, and her special caregiver friend Mary Sanchez took care of her personal care needs and brought a ray of sunshine to her days. Our thanks go out to these special people for taking such good care of our Mama.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the animal rescue of your choice, the Alzheimer's Association, or American Cancer Society.