First Lady Jacquelyn Diane Hathaway

Jacquelyn Diane Sisco Hathaway was born on July 26, 1952 to the union of the late Rachel Smith Sisco and Lonnie Sisco in Memphis, Tennessee. She joined her heavenly family on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Since first accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 17, she has been a devout Christian Leader, teaching both men and women how to be strong in their Christian faith. She made sure that the Word of God was pressed in our hearts by encouraging others to read the Word of God and to have a strong relationship with him. She was united with Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee where she was First Lady and religion was a core value built on a strong Christian faith. Family and Religion was especially important to Jacquelyn, as she loved Lord, her family, and church family.

Jacquelyn in her adolescent years, attended Memphis City Schools.  On the passing of her father, she was transferred to Nashville, Tennessee where she attended Tennessee Preparatory School (TPS).  She graduated from TPS in 1970 and continued her education at Tennessee State University where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Education and with the influence of her husband McKinley, she continued to obtain a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science. Her strong love for education motivated her to continue in several courses, even after attaining her Master’s Degree.

Jacquelyn married the love of her life McKinley Hathaway, Sr. on July 24, 1976 and together they built and shared a union of love, honor and trust for 48 years.

She worked as a secretary at the Tennessee State University Agricultural Science Department for many years, then began teaching within the Metropolitan Nashville School System for 32 years.

Jacquelyn loved to travel across the United States, singing, and dancing from the heart.  She loved giving and helping others.   Mostly she enjoyed being among her family and friends which was very important to her.   

She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. Those left to cherish precious memories are her loving husband, Pastor McKinley Hathaway, Sr.; children Nakia Rachele’ Hathaway, Michaela Diane (Tyrone E.) Brown, McKinley (Jacqueline L.) Hathaway, Jr.; brothers Tyrone (Janice) Sisco, Keith (Yolanda) Sisco, David (Kim) Sisco, Reginald (Chandra) Sisco; sisters, Nell Kelley, Carol Sisco, Carolyn (Terry) Hill; special sisters/friends, Michelle Boyd, Sharon Wallace, Jacquelyn Cannady; grandchildren, great grandchildren, many cousins, nephews, nieces, dear friends.