Virginia Louise Shackelford

Virginia (Ginny) Chalfant Shackelford, 91, of Prairie Village, KS, died peacefully at home on July 5, 2026 surrounded by family. She was born in Hutchinson, KS in 1935 to Virgie Joiner and John Hughes (Jack) Child. She graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1953. She attended Monticello College for one year and then graduated from the University of Kansas in 1957 where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, an organization she strongly supported throughout her life.

She married Michael Edward Chalfant, also from Hutchinson in 1956, and moved back home where they raised their family. Ginny was active in the altar guild at Grace Church, Hutchinson’s Meals on Wheels while adopting every stray dog or cat that wandered into their yard. Mike preceded her in death in 1983.

She married William H. Shackelford III (Bill) in 1984 and moved to Kansas City where they were married for 39 years. She quickly took an interest in her new community and was a past board member of The Kansas City Ballet; a member of the Society of Fellows at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; a past board member of the KU Alumni Association; and a member of St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary. She was also the founder of the Omega Kappa Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation and served as its president for many years.

She was an avid tennis, golf and bridge player. She and Bill enjoyed traveling to their home in Colorado Springs each summer while spending winters in Boca Grande, FL. She was a passionate supporter of the Kansas Jayhawks and attended many football and basketball games with a few Final Four tournaments sprinkled in. She will always be remembered for her big smile, zest for life and love and devotion to her family.

She is survived by her children, Catherine Bloch (Scott); June Anne Chalfant (Norm Neubauer); Melissa Carnes (Jim); Melinda Chalfant; her daughter-in-law, Katie Chalfant; as well as her stepchildren, Lindley Shackelford, Libby Metzler (Tim); Lucy Shackelford (Eric Sildon) and Bill Shackelford, IV (Stephanie Warden); 17 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren and her beloved Fred, the cat. She is preceded in death by her husband; her sister Marilyn Etzler, her son, John H. Chalfant, as well as many brothers and sisters -in-law.

Ginny’s family would like to thank Chidera Ibegwam, Haeka Gaspar and their team for their loving care. A service will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64113. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Omega KKG Educational Foundation 11820 Norwood Dr. Leawood, KS 66211 or to the Kansas City Ballet 500 W Pershing Rd KC, MO 64108 or to Newhouse PO Box 2110019 KC, MO 64124.