Rural Armstrong resident, Virginia “Gina” Hackley, 81, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri on April 4, 2022.

Virginia Ruth Hackley was born south of Glasgow on the family farm in the Crossroads community, June 12, 1940, to Harry E. and Pansy (Bentley) Lewis, Sr. She was the seventh of eight children born into the family, and had a happy childhood with her siblings. She always thought some of her siblings would be there when she died, but time has proven her wrong. The older siblings spoiled her, the middle ones pestered her, and she and the younger ones had their spats, but siblings do that. They were still always there for each other. She was blessed with a large family with lots of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and always felt welcome in their homes. Some of her fondest memories were of playing in the creek in the woods with her siblings, cousins and friends. She loved Christmas at her grandparents when cousins from far and near would come together for the celebration.

Gina asked Jesus into her heart at an early age. Although she failed him daily, she considered herself a Christian and attended Faith Family Church in Fayette, Missouri.

In 1958 she graduated from Glasgow High School and attended Southwest Missouri State (Missouri State) in Springfield. On December 5, 1959, she and Wilbur Lee Hackley began their married life exchanging vows at Glasgow United Methodist Church and enjoyed over 62 years of marriage. They lived much of their life on a farm between Roanoke and Forest Green. In addition to being a loving wife, mother and grandmother, she worked as a dental assistant, bank cashier and at MFA Oil Co. during her lifetime. She also was a member of various organizations in which she enjoyed.

She and Wilbur have three sons that they are very proud of and have been so supportive of her while she was ill. Her close cousin, Linda Hord, was also very supportive and visited Gina every day.

Survivors include her husband, Wilbur, of the home; three sons, David (Lisa) Hackley of Columbia, Missouri, Ron Hackley of Overland Park, Kansas and Steven (Amanda Miller) Hackley of Moberly, Missouri; three grandchildren, Andrew (Crystal) Elliott, Emily Connon and Kerrigan Hackley; six great-grandchildren, Ellie, Addie, Evie, Liam, Layne, and Lily. 

In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her grandson, Cameron Hackley, five brothers, Harry “Bunk” Lewis, Jr., Edwin, James, Norris “Gus” and John Lewis, and two sisters, Dorothy St. Cyr and Rae Jean Zubeck.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Glasgow. A funeral celebrating the life of Mrs. Hackley will be 10 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Glasgow, with Revs. Jamie Page and Sandra Enyard officiating. Burial will follow the service at Lewis Cemetery, east of Glasgow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Faith Family Church, Lewis Cemetery or Lewis Library, in care of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home, 112 Market St., Glasgow, MO 65254.