Floyd Elmo Shorter, Sr., 79, of Covington, passed away (peacefully/in his sleep) on May 11, 2016, in Social Circle. He was born September 16, 1936, to William Albert Shorter and Lula Sollars Shorter, in Lyford, Indiana. On August 12, 1955, he married Flora Caroline Beard, in Clinton, Indiana. He was a member of Higher Praise Tabernacle church in Covington. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Clay Shorter of Brazil, Indiana, William Richard Shorter, of Rockville, Indiana; and his sister, Barbara Belle Minton, of St. Bernice, Indiana. Floyd enjoyed hunting, woodworking, hobbies of arts and crafts and also painting. He was affectionately known as "Joe" to his close family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Caroline; his six children, Marsha Lynn (and husband, Sam) McCaskill, of Catoosa, Oklahoma; Floyd Elmo (and wife, Johnene) Shorter, Jr., of Covington; Albert Leslie (and wife, Elizabeth) Shorter, of Johns Creek; Rev. Richard Alan (and wife, Joy) Shorter, of Covington; Randy Lee (and wife, Donna) Shorter, of Douglasville; and Douglas Edward (and wife, Chris) Shorter, of Greenville, South Carolina; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brothers, Jim (and wife, Diane) Shorter of Rockville, Indiana; David (and wife, Shirley) Shorter of Coatsville, Indiana; sisters, Mary Mankin and Darlene (and husband, Robert) Lopez both of Brazil, Indiana . Also he leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and church family.
Visitation will be Friday, May 13, 2016, from 4 p.m.–8 p.m. at Wheeler Funeral Home 11405 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington, Georgia. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Higher Praise Tabernacle Church located at 3915 Hwy 162 in Covington, Georgia 30016, with Pastors Kenneth Morrell, son, Richard Shorter, Don Abernathy and Dr. Jerry A. Patterson, officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Rosehaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Douglasville, Ga. Online condolences may be made at wheelerfuneralhome.com.