Clintonian celebrates 100 years

Special to The Clinton Courier

Miss Jacquelin (Jackie) Ashley recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Ashley was born September 12, 1922, in Jackson, Mississippi. She was raised in Clinton and graduated from then-Hinds Junior College in Raymond, about 1941 or 1942. Shortly afterwards, she went to Washington, D.C., where she worked as secretary for different agencies supporting the war effort.

Ashley lived in a women’s boarding house not far from the Capitol and frequently helped at a local USO, where she entertained the troops by playing the piano and singing. She returned to Clinton around 1943 and graduated from Mississippi College with a group of Navy officers under a shortened program. After the war, she worked for AMSouth Bank in Birmingham, Alabama, until she retired and returned to Clinton around 1985. She loved First Baptist Church in Clinton and sang with the Joy Makers group for many years. Miss Ashely never married and now lives at Brookdale Senior Living in Clinton.