Margaret Short was born on October 15, 1927, in Carthage, Texas to Mary and Robert Beecham. She was the youngest of six children born to that union: Katherine Hatley, Rosetta Powell, Connie Ravin, Ora Lee Smith, and Robert Beecham Jr. Shortly after moving to Dallas in the early 1930s, the family joined Greater El Bethel Baptist Church where she remained a member until her death.

Margaret attended N. W. Harlee Elementary School and Lincoln High School. She excelled on the high school cheerleading team, the Drama Club, and the Acapella Choir. She found a love of cooking and sewing in home making classes. These passions continued throughout her life and career.

Following work in odd job in food service, she worked with noted manufacturers in the fashion industry as the apparel industry in Dallas grew. While working for Howard Wolff, an apparel manufacturer of women's designer clothing sold by retailers such as noted department store Neiman Marcus, she broke racial barriers expanding her role from presser to excel as an industrial seamstress.

In 1952, Margaret met and married Stanley Short. Together they raised five children: David Sockwell, Susan Short Jones, Marilyn Short, Stanley Short Jr., and Patrick Short. She was active in the lives of her children and provided encouragement as they explored their talents in singing, sports, academics, band, and dance. The family shared joyous memories as they worshipped, ate, vacationed, rode horses, attended rodeos, fished on the lake, and traveled together.

As her children moved into adulthood, she took advantage of the opportunity to build upon her experience in the apparel industry and formed her business, Short's Sewing Shop. Her shop produced custom made uniforms for several public-school marching bands. Her business savvy and reputation for production of high fashion athletic wear and special occasion attire garnered her contracts with the Dallas Cowboys, the San Antonio Spurs, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, and Neiman Marcus to name a few.

Margaret continued to build upon her experiences and expand her career options. In 1985 she received the degree of Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences from El Centro College in Dallas, Texas. Prior to her graduation her high level of academic achievement earned recognition on the Honor Roll. As a part-time student she worked full-time at Mostek Semi-Conductor Company as a product inspector and administrative assistant.

She fully embraced the experience of college life and traveled extensively competing with students from all fifty states in presentations on career development and management focused on marketing and fashion merchandise. She won a gold medal in San Francisco for personnel management, a bronze medal in Fort Worth for quality control and a silver medal in Kansas City for advertisement.

In 1993 she took advantage of the opportunity to work as a substitute teacher at the Dallas Independent School District working with children from kindergarten through fifth grade. Here she combined her love of children and providing services and shared her love, compassion, and wisdom.

Her personal interest in biblical history inspired her to study all the women of the Bible, the Old Testament and New Testament. She served as president of the Day Mission, named after her mother, and second vice president of the general mission of her church. She was also a member of the Mother's Board. She enjoyed strong personal relationships with her club sisters through her work with the Christian Fellowship Charity Club, an organization that provides services to those in need and spiritual nourishment to each member.

She is preceded in death by her mother Mary Beecham, father Robert Beecham Sr., Stanley Short Sr., her sons David Sockwell and Stanley Short Jr., four siblings: Katheine Hatley, Rosetta Powell, Ora Lee Smith, and Robert Beecham Jr and grandson, Shamiron Knight She is survived by her sister, Connie Ravin, two daughters, Susan Short Jones (Roland) and Marilyn Short and son, Patrick Short (Tonja); grandchildren David Sockwell (Toni), LaTrina ("Shon") Smith, Shamira James, Shameka Short, Gloria Short and Shannon Short; a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, niece Rosemary Felder (Willie T), nephew Robert Beecham III (Janice); cherished extended family and friends including Linda Smith, Cecelia Jones, Aaron Smith, Kelley Turner, Mavis Ravin, Patrice Johnson, Glenda and Ural Crutcher, Cozetta Smith and a host of others.

Margaret's faith, love, tenacity, and ambition inspired everyone who knew her. Her spirit will live forever.