After a brief illness, Bertie Shortridge Wade, 89, went to live eternally with her Savior Jesus Christ on October 22, 2022. A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson MS on Wednesday October 26 at 11:00 am with visitation at the church at 9:00 am.

Bertie was born on December 3, 1932 in Meridian Mississippi but soon moved to Jackson where she lived ever since. She loved her high school years at Central High in Jackson where she developed many lifelong friendships. In 1951, she was elected President of the Senior Class with the Jackson Daily News headlines proclaiming "Central High Elects First Girl President." Over the next 50 years, Bertie continued to be involved with Central High by coordinating several Class Reunions which she enjoyed immensely.

After graduation, Bertie spent two wonderful years at Ole Miss and with Chi Omega sorority. She then moved back to Jackson marrying her husband John and graduating from Millsaps in 1955. After spending some time at home with her children, Johnny and Vivian, Bertie began her teaching career at McWillie Elementary School. However, when Jackson Academy opened, Bertie began teaching preschool there where she helped develop what became the school's long-standing phonics program. After spending several years as dean of the JA preschool, Bertie continued her career teaching first grade at First Presbyterian Day School. When Bertie retired from teaching in 1986, First Presbyterian Day School dedicated the yearbook to her that year. Bertie's teaching career spanned four different decades. Bertie loved teaching young children. As she wrote in one of her Central High Class Reunion books, "Teaching those young children was very rewarding and I hope I influenced some of their lives in a positive way." Based on the many comments her family received from her former students over the years, it's clear that she did in fact have a profound positive impact on her young students.

Bertie loved her family and was loved by her family. She invested time with her grandchildren, creating gingerbread houses and Christmas ornaments with them and helping them paint her ceramic Santa Clauses which now adorn many friends' and families' mantels during Christmas. Over the many years, she also loved attending her granddaughters' sporting events.

Bertie was preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Vivian Shortridge, her husband John, two of her sisters Dollie Morris and Betty Beavers and her son-in law Tom Calhoun. She is survived by her two children, Johnny (Jan) and Vivian Calhoun. She also leaves behind her granddaughters: Lauren (Alston), Carolyne (Linley), Elizabeth (Martin) and Callie (Sidney) and grandson Taylor (Allison) and her 9 great grandchildren: Tyler, Anna, Wade, Goldie, Miller, Alli Rhodes, Emery, Conrad and Merritt along with several nieces and nephews. Bertie also leaves behind one of her beloved sisters Vivian Williams. Although Bertie will be missed, the family takes comfort in knowing she is now with her Savior in Heaven.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for the love and kindness displayed to Bertie by the wonderful staff at The Orchard. Bertie spent the last seven years of her life at the Orchard with many childhood friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Edith Coleman who took special care of Bertie at the Orchard and who Bertie adored. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Reformed University Fellowship or First Presbyterian Day School.

As Bertie's long time pastor, Jim Baird, would close each of his sermons: "Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; To the only wise God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever." Jude 1:24-25