Purnell A. Shortall

Purnell A. Shortall of Cordova, MD, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the University of MD Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. He was 80 years old.

Born at home on a farm in Tunis Mills, MD, Purnell was the son of the late William Andrew Shortall and Grace Etta Conley Shortall. He lived his entire life in Talbot County, residing at his present location in Cordova since 1967, which was his favorite place to be, especially since his retirement. Active in his community, he was a lifetime member of the Easton Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge. He was a former member of the Eastern Shore Jousting Association, Saddle Friends Trail Club, and Tri-County Ruritan Club.

Purnell had an extensive career of construction work, owner and operator of a retail sales lumber and hardware store, and owner of numerous rental properties and real estate.

A carpenter by trade, he worked at locations in D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. In 1971, he established his construction business, constructing new homes, renovations, pole buildings, and numerous other construction services. He owned and operated Shortall Building Supplies and Hardware, Inc. located in Cordova from 1985 until his retirement in 2018. During this time, he proudly sponsored a t-ball team call “Shortall Shorties”. He continued to purchase properties, creating his business, “Shortall Rentals”.

Mr. Shortall is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Shortall, they have resided in the house Purnell built in Cordova, with the assistance of many of their family members and friends. He is survived by a brother, Walter “Bucky” Shortall (Betty Ruth) of McDaniel, MD; two brothers-in-law: Jimmy Schlotzhauer (Jo Ann), and Chris Schlotzhauer (Carol); two sisters-in-law: Sharon Neuwiller (Chuck), and Mickey Chance (Randy); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by ten brothers and sisters: William “Bill” Shortall, Ann Shortall, Edward “Eddie” Shortall, Margaret E. Blades, Mary Jane Cohee, Phil Shortall, Joseph “Joe” Shortall, Virginia “Sis” Thomas, Doris A. Shortal, and Thomas Shortall.

A funeral service will be held 11 AM on Saturday, February 22nd at Moore Funeral Home, P.A. located 12 S. 2nd St. in Denton. Friends may call from 10-11 AM before the service. The interment will be in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Easton.

If friends wish to send donations in Mr. Shortall’s memory, the family suggests the Cordova Volunteer Fire Co. P.O. Box 102 Cordova, MD 21625.

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