Tomi Wortham Short

Tomi Wortham Short, age 84, of Abingdon, Va. and formerly of Midlothian, Va., Virginia Beach, Va., and Washington, D.C., took her final bow, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, the curtain has closed and she has gone to heaven to dance with the love of her life. She was born to the late Varval “Dick” Wortham and Helen Bashe Wortham on July 1, 1932, in Fayetteville, Ark. She received a scholarship to the School of American Ballet, feeder school for The New York City Ballet Company at the age of 13. The following year she was asked to join the company and was a member for seven years achieving the level of demi-soloist. Subsequently, she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and one year towards a PHD in Children’s Theatre from the University of Kansas. Returning to New York, Tomi performed in an Off-Broadway play with Brock Peters. She performed as an actress on television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show and Show of Shows. She was taught and choreographed at Hollins University and the University of Kansas. Tomi has directed her own schools in Lawrence, Kan. and Virginia Beach, Va., and directed the dance program at Oceana Naval Air Base. She taught dance at the Jessica Morgan School of Dance for more than 14 years. After retiring to Abingdon she choreographed at Highlands Ballet.

In addition to her parents, Tomi was also preceded in death by her husband, Col. Robert Dudley Short.

She is survived by her daughter, K. Laine Hockman and husband Matthew of Abingdon, Va.; three grandchildren, Jeremiah Hockman and wife Melissa, Joseph Hockman and wife Stacy, and Erin Hockman; and five great grandchildren, Logan, Collin, McKenzie, Payton, and Ayla.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Matthew Hockman officiating. A committal service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 7, 2017, at Arlington National Cemetery with John Kauffman officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday, May 1, 2017, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Emma McCracken of Hometown Hospice and the many angels that took excellent care of Tomi, Heather, Monika, Chelsea, Lauren, Carmen, and Janel.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Tomi Wortham Short is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, Va. 24210 (276-623-2700).