Obituary for Augustine Shorten

Our mother, our friend, our teacher and our inspiration, Augustine Morgan Shorten, 100 years old, kept the faith to the end, was called to glory on March 22, 2024, in Lake Charles, LA., surrounded by her loving daughters and a caregiver.

On August 6, 1923, in Covington, Louisiana, the first daughter of Edward and Christian Morgan was born. She was a big sister to Emily Mae and Wilfred Morgan. The Morgans were baptized and raised in Doughty Chapel AME Church in Covington. Augustine received her education and graduated from Hammond Colored School in Hammond, Louisiana.

Augustine came to Lake Charles with her job as a domestic worker. She united with Saint Paul AME Church. She met and married Earl Shorten. To that union was born five children.

Our mother stressed excellence by example, action, and in her teachings. She believed if a job was worth doing, it should be done right. Augustine worked several jobs and retired as a custodian from the Calcasieu Parish School Board.

Ms. Augustine was an avid reader and superb cakemaker, loved keeping her yard clean and attractive. She made everyone feel welcome. She loved her children but did not spare the rod. She adored her grandchildren. She loved for them to gather around her, and she would read book after book.

After retirement new life was given to her faithfulness at St. Paul. She enjoyed studying her Sunday School lesson and reading the Bible. She faithfully served as a steward, a stewardess, the treasurer, a missionary, and a member of the hospitality committee. The food was appealing, tasty and served with lots of love. St. Paul honored her by having the local missionary society named after her. She loved her church. She will be missed.

Augustine was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Christian Morgan; her sister and brother, Emily Morgan Thomas and Wilfred Morgan; her daughter, Rose Christine Jones and son-in-law, Clement Jones, Jr.; and her grandson, Abraham Conway Jr.; also, her three stepchildren, Earlie Mae West, Leroy Shorten, and Mercedes Isaac.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters: Emily Hider, Helen Wright (Billy), Linda Shorten, and one son, Clarence (Micaela); Grandchildren: Lawrence Shorten, Melinda Shorten Saez, Christopher Jones, Brandon Hider, Corey Hider, Nicole Wright and William Wright; 10 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and loved ones.

Services to honor and celebrate the life of Augustine Shorten will be held at Reeves Temple CME Church located at 1400 Winterhalter St., Lake Charles, LA 70601, on April 4, 2024, at 10 AM. She will be laid to rest in her hometown of Covington, Louisiana on Friday, April 5.

The natural-born bodies we occupy are stained with sin and destined to exist only temporarily. They are built for living on earth and not in heaven.