Cynthia Joann (CJ) Short
Age 65, of Mt. Morris, Michigan passed away at home on Monday, August 18, 2025. In accordance with her wishes, cremation will take place. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with her loved ones on Cynthia’s tribute wall at detroitcremationsociety.com
Cynthia was born on May 19, 1960, in Naples, Italy, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Patricia (Outlaw) Short. CJ started playing piano stateside at the age of 6. Her studies in classical music span 20+ years. She has performed in venues up and down the Gold Coast of Florida. CJ was given a scholarship to FAU and studied piano under Russian coach Judith Berganger. She went on to private advanced voice studies at Chattanooga State where she won first place vocalist in Chattanooga’s premier radio competition. CJ believed that she was exactly where God wanted her to be, singing and playing praises for Him and offering her testimony to help others know they too, can begin over again, at any age, with a burning desire and Faith in God’s Divine Plan.
While playing the piano at MCC of Paducah, CJ met Kim French and recorded with her on the CD; Kim French, “We Are The Church”,released in 2014. They harmonized beautifully together and decided to follow God’s calling to move to Michigan and share his love for the world through their music. This calling ultimately led CJ and Kim to found Free2B Music Ministries in 2016. CJ served as the Secretary on the Board of Directors from its founding until her passing. Through this ministry they played for nursing home residents, the public, and for benefits.
CJ’s favorite job was singing and playing the piano for Jesus. She was an accomplished singer / songwriter and pianist. Cj wrote the title track song for the cd, “I Will Not Be Shaken” released by Free2B Music Ministeries in 2022. She also penned the song “OutLaw”, which is a song honoring her Grandmother Pruline Outlaw, whom she lived with and who taught her about the Bible.
CJ was a devout Christian and an avid reader of the Bible, who loved her chosen family and friends deeply. She loved to make people laugh with her witty sense of humor and her ability to mimic several accents. To know her was to love her.
Left to cherish her memory are her life partner; Kim French, Brother David Short & Chosen family; Cindy, Jersey, Damion and Nora Bice, plus several beloved friends she called family.
Cynthia was preceded in death by; Parents Gerald and Patricia (Outlaw) Short, brother Dr Kenneth “Bruce” Short, and grandmother Pruline Outlaw.
CJ’s Celebration of Life service we be held at LifeLine Church (9518 N. Clio Rd, Clio MI 48420) on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 3:00pm. Visitation with CJ’s loved ones will begin one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted to help with CJ’s final expenses at:
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CJ was a beautifully spirited and gifted believer who brought smiles to the faces of those who loved music. She will be missed and celebrated by all who knew her. Yet I imagine C J sitting in the heavenly orchestra and singing with that beautiful smile as she is welcomed home.. Kim know that even though you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death Our Creator’s Rod and Staff shall comfort you.
What a great life story she had. My most sincere condolences.
Such a life well lived for CJ. What a great talent she gave to her craft to the joy of others. My condolences, hugs and prayers for Kim and all who love her.
I felt a special kinship with CJ because my daddy called me CJ as a chile (for Carolyn Jeanette). As a singer, I also loved her voice and was blessed to sing with her a few times in Flint or on their home property. CJ will be missed by all of us who love music and love Jesus. My deepest sympathies to Kim, her band and all family & friends. Blessed Peace
CJ was a very special person with a beautiful voice and a marvelous talent on the keyboard. She carried a great love of God in her heart and followed in the footsteps on Jesus as she carried the cross of her failing health with blessed forbearance. She is now resting in pain free happiness in the presence of our creator.
CJ was a very special person with a beautiful voice and a marvelous talent on the keyboard. She carried a great love of God in her heart and followed in the footsteps on Jesus. She carried the cross of her failing health with blessed forbearance. She is now resting in pain free happiness in the presence of our creator.
GOD took home an angel and she is now singing in heaven we were blessed by her presence and music. Prayers for her partner and family
Such a beautiful life story. CJ was a beautiful person inside and out. She will be sincerely missed here on earth, but I rest assured that her talents are being enjoyed in Heaven. Til we all meet again, we will always remember you, special lady.
My full of love for the lord friend/band member/right hand gal CJ..I’ll miss you musically and all our belly laughs! God blessed me with 10yrs of all of you..forever grateful till we meet again..God has His added choir of angels..Amen
CJ was such an amazing person and joy to be around. She was like my second grandma. She was just such a light. If there is anybody I would strive to be like or want to be like, it would be her. She has the best relationship with God and was definitely filled with Jesus and love. She would not be shaken. She always remained positive in bad situations. How fortunate we all were to know CJ and meet the person she was. Thank you for being in my life CJ. For the laughs and happiness you brought. I love you CJ so so much. Amen.