Melba Jacqueline “Jackie” Shirley was born December 5, 1931, in Hartsfield, Georgia, the daughter of Hughie and Argie Rozell (Green) Gay. She was married to John Truman Hatcher in Boston, Georgia. She moved to Wichita with her children in 1960. She married Eugene Ray Shirley on December 19, 1966, in Salina. The family moved to Chapman in January 1970.

Jackie passed away of natural causes on Friday, April 21, in Auburn, Kansas at the age of 91. Survivors include her

children John T. Hatcher, Jr of Topeka, Myrtice Jacqueline Audiss of Enterprise, Alabama, Dianne Lovey Tweedy of Salina, Marion Aridane Parker of Leavenworth, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene on May 31, 2003, daughter Lily Rozell Doviak, son Smith Taylor Hatcher, sister Ruth Tooman, and three brothers Wayne Gay and Charles Gay, and Gerald Gay.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Chapman with Pastor Patrick Garlock officiating. As per Jackie’s wishes, there will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery and may be mailed to the Londeen-Overlease Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 411, Chapman, Kansas 67431.