Malden – Shirley Ellen Hays, 86 of Malden, passed away Monday, May 1, 2023 at Winchester Place in Bernie.

Shirley, daughter of Daniel and Myrtle Blackburn Akridge, was born on Sunday, June 7, 1936 in Clarkton, Missouri.

She was a secretary and was a member of the Stanfield Baptist Church in Clarkton.

On August 23, 1954 in Hernando, Mississippi, she was united in marriage to John Thomas Hays. He preceded her in death on October 13, 2010.

Her survivors include two sons, Russell Hays and wife, Debbie of Piedmont, Eric Hays and wife, Susie of Malden; one sister, Wanda Cleaves of Gideon; two step-granddaughters, Susan McCormick and husband, Frank of Spring City, Tennessee, Meredith Garris and husband, Tim of Poplar Bluff; three step-great-granddaughters, Lexi Dearborn and husband, Matthew of Columbia, Tennessee, Kailee Smith and husband, Matt of Poplar Bluff, Ashley McCormick of Spring City, Tennessee and one step-great-grandson, Case McCormick of Knoxville, Tennessee

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Landess Funeral Home Chapel in Malden with services beginning at 11 a.m., with Reverend Tony Allen officiating.  Burial will follow at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made the the Stanfield Baptist Church Flower Fund, in Clarkton, Missouri.

Landess Funeral Home and Crematory of Malden will be in charge of the arrangements.