Shirley Ann Barrett , 84, of Rock Island, passed away Thursday August 6, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City.

Funeral services will be live broadcast at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, from Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island, and may be viewed at https:// www.wheelanpressly.com/live-stream. Visitation will from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In accordance with public gathering restrictions, attendees are expected to wear a mask and observe social distancing.  The funeral home staff will monitor capacity limits and allow up to 50 people in at a time. Private burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be left to the family to be designated later.

Shirley was born February 1, 1936 in Kingsport, TN, the daughter of William Keener and Sally (Stewart) Hammonds. She married Haskel C. Barrett on September 2, 1953 in Gate City, VA. They moved back to the Quad Cities in 1954.

Mrs Barrett was known for her worldwide corresponding with famous celebrities. She corresponded with service men during the Vietnam War, and was presented a National Citation from the Disabled American Veterans for letter writing to Vietnam Servicemen. She also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and had articles in PM Magazine and Weekly Magazines regarding her large Autograph collection and hobby of writing. Most recently, she was a popular and frequent contributor to the Creature Feature column in the Argus Dispatch.

Shirley loved animals and tried to help the local Rock Island City Animal Shelter. She did the Pet of the Week on WQAD TV for a couple years in the late eighties.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Daniel R. (Deborah) Barrett; granddaughter, Megan Kate (Brooke) Barrett; all of Rock Island; brothers, Oliver Ketron, Jr., Moline and Robert Ketron, Rock Island; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two brothers.