Apostle Patricia Hercules

On May 16,2020, in the comfort of her home, Dr. Apostle Patricia A Hercules, peacefully traded in her labor for wings after a long illness.
Patricia was one of two children born to the late Rosa Payne Matthews and Johnny Griffin in Mt Hope, West Virginia on October 31,1936. Patricia married and gave birth to five children, Thomas Shorts,Tomesa Jones, Charlene Waples, Charles Shorts and Carmen Williams.
In 1942, the family relocated to Dover, Delaware. There Patricia matriculated through the Dover public school system. She pursued higher education obtaining her bachelors degree. Patricia received a honorary doctorate degree from Delaware State University.
Patricia acquired employment with Delaware State University as a custodial supervisor retiring in the early 90s. Patricia also work alongside the Delaware State police to help combat crime in Palmer Park. While working with them she received a certificate from Delaware state police Academy.
Patricia learned to play the piano from her mother Rosa. She had love of music. She played the piano in churches and taught all her children to sing. Together they became the "Shorts family gospel", then later named "The Gospel Shorells" one of the most prominent family singing groups of that time. She faithfully played as head pianist under several ministries to include the late Bishop Clarence Cartwright and Bishop LT Blackshear. In the 1970s, Patricia started the All State Gospel ensemble.
In the early 90s, she was led of God to start her ministry in Palmer Park, Dover,DE. She founded the First Love Outreach Community Center and the First Love Church. Through her ministry many people were led to the Lord. Her ministry cleaned up the community and drew many people. In addition to her ministry, she became close with many state officials. Patricia was highly respected as a public servant as well as community activist.
There were many accomplishments of her ministry.
She was proceeded in death by her husbands: Charles Shorts Sr & Dillon Hercules.
Left to cherish her memory :her brother Johnny Payne(Doris) (Glen Burnie, MD), her children: Thomas Shorts(Tanya)(Dover,DE) Tomesa Jones (Frank)(Lincoln,DE) Charlene Waples(Sam)(Milford DE), Charles Shorts Jr and Carmen Williams(Milford, DE), twenty eight grandchildren, eighty seven great grandchildren and fourteen great great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.