Jacqueline Ellen Joslin Gershwin

Jacqueline Ellen Joslin Gershwin, fondly called Jackie, was born January 10,1930, in Nashville, Tennessee. She passed peacefully February 11, 2026, at her home in Decatur. She was a beautiful 96-year-old sweetheart who cared and loved with all she had. Jackie loved her music. She was a vocalist that won a talent contest in 1949 on the Horace Heidt show, then joined the Skylarks. While performing with the Skylarks on The Colgate Comedy Hour with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, she met and married movie producer Jerry Gershwin. Among others, she sang backup on The Dinah Shore Show, The Carol Burnett Show and on The Johnny Carson Show . During her twenty-year plus marriage to Jerry, she met her best friend actress Janet Leigh Curtis and socialized with The Rat Pack and other legends. One of our favorite photographs of her was with John Wayne. She always had music playing in her home, it was comforting to her and all who visited. Everyone wanted to listen to her wonderful and exciting stories and she was always happy to share them. She kept up with the current news and if you wanted a history lesson, especially during the Great Depression days just ask her. Her great great nieces and nephews visited often and was always asking when can we go back and see Aunt Jackie. Jackie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt, great great aunt, and great, great, great aunt. In addition to her family, she treasured the many friendships she formed throughout her life, her friends were precious to her, and she cherished every one of them. She taught all of us so much about life and love. She is survived by granddaughter, Kayla Varney, two nieces, Theresa (Terrie) Joslin Ballman and Elizabeth (Beth) Joslin Roth. Three great nieces, Stacy Yotter, Kayla Joslin Mirenda and Avery Roth. Five great, great nieces, Joslin Yotter, Olivia Yotter, Lilly Mirenda and Marley Mirenda and Sydney Ballman Hackworth. Two nephews, Robert J. (Bobby) Joslin Jr. (Vicki) and Donald (Don) Joslin. Four great nephews, Jerry Springer, Jackson Ballman, Jacob Joslin and Samuel Roth. Four great, great nephews, Wyatt Springer Luke Springer, Drew Springer, Grant Ross Yotter. One great, great, great nephew, Barrett Springer. Preceded in death by daughter, Gina Gershwin, parents Archie Jackson Joslin and Frances McBride Joslin, brothers Robert (Bob) and Dan Joslin, sister Peggy Joslin Singley. Neice Kristin Joslin Howe and Nephew Robert (Bobby) J. Joslin III. In accordance with her wishes, she will be cremated with her ashes, along with Gina’s, will be released in the Pacific Ocean – a place that brought them both great joy and was their happiest place. Mark Varney, Gina’s husband, will perform this private service at a later date. She requested that no formal memorial service be held locally. Brother Wendell Bennett of Flint Baptist Church will announce her passing during a Sunday morning service. Two songs she chose will be shared in remembrance of her and the life she lived. To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.

Jacqueline Ellen Joslin Gershwin

January 10, 1930 - February 11, 2026