Johnell Shorter Sr. died today, April 15, 2009, at River Region Medical Center. He was 59.

Born in Warren County, Mr. Shorter retired as a driver for Celadon Trucking. He was a member of Word of Faith Christian Center, where he served as an usher and in transportation.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Annie Lee Davis; and his parents, Leroy and Corrine Hoban Shorter.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Burns Shorter of Vicksburg; three sons, Michael Shorter, Johnell Shorter Jr. and Michael Bailey, all of Vicksburg; three daughters, Phelesia Coffee and Elizabeth Clark, both of Vicksburg, and Cynthia Burns of Charlotte, N.C.; two brothers, Willie Shorter and Robert Shorter, both of Vicksburg; five sisters, Corrine Palmer, Ernestine Willis, Le Esther Hall, Christine Miller and Ossie Reynolds, all of Vicksburg; and a number of grandchildren.

W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.