Kela Dawn Short

Kela Dawn Short, 75, of Amarillo, Texas passed away peacefully at home surrounded by immediate family on December 11, 2025.

Kela was born on June 9, 1950, in Amarillo, Texas to Helen Jean Flemming McCain and Henry Weyman McCain. She attended Tascosa High School, Amarillo College, and West Texas State University. Kela met the love of her life, Joseph Charles “Chuck” Short in the fall of 1968 while they were involved with the Baptist Student Union at Amarillo College. They married August 3, 1971, at Avondale Baptist Church. They were blessed with two daughters, Ana Lyn in 1976 and Abi Lee in 1978.

Kela became a Christian early in life at Summit Baptist Church. Chuck and Kela have been members of Paramount Baptist Church since 1973. Kela loved Jesus, had a passion for teaching God’s Word, and served her church and community through Youth and Young Adult Sunday School leadership, Women’s Missionary Union, preschool ministry, choir, handbells, youth camps, many mission trips, and numerous Women’s Bible Studies. Kela also participated in Thursday Community Bible Study at First Christian Church where she served as a leader and lecturer. She volunteered at the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum as a docent, AISD as a Volunteer in Public Schools, Campfire Girls, and took advantage of numerous other volunteer and service opportunities.

Kela started her work career at the City of Amarillo, served her church and volunteered in the community when her daughters were young, and later worked for Graham Data Solutions and American Business Solutions.

Kela was known for her quick wit and sound advice. She loved reading and was a lifelong learner. She was an expert seamstress and sewed most of the girls’ special occasion dresses. Chuck and Kela not only spent their honeymoon in Lake City, Colorado, but continued to camp there most summers with lifelong friends. Kela loved to bake her famous apple pie on holidays and took particular satisfaction beating Chuck and the grandkids in dominoes.

The hallmark of Kela’s life was her loving marriage of 54 years to Chuck. She was happiest surrounded by family and spending time with her four precious grandchildren who adored her.

Kela was preceded in death by two sisters-in-law, Sharon Robinson and Suzi McCarty. Survived by her husband, Joseph Charles Short; daughter, Ana Lyn Short Hoeksema, son-in-law, Bradley Jon Hoeksema, grandsons, John Charles Hoeksema, Jack Joseph Hoeksema, Jude Henry Hoeksema; daughter, Abi Lee Short and granddaughter, Josephine Ana Cowles; and many nieces, nephews, and family who love her.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Cayla Cato, R.N., who lovingly and tenderly cared for Kela in recent months.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the T. Mike Boyett Memorial Scholarship through the Amarillo Area Foundation.

Kela’s life will be celebrated on December 17, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Paramount Baptist Church, 3801 Western. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.