The Ritzville Adams County Journal - Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

Shirley Ann (Baldwin) Melville

Dec. 20, 1934 – Feb. 3, 2023

Shirley Ann Baldwin was born on Dec. 20, 1934 in Spokane, Wash. to Lyle Eugene and Elva (Hoffman) Baldwin. Shirley grew up on a farm outside of Sprague, Wash. near Crab Creek with her younger sister Betty. Shirley's parents separated when she was a teenager. Shirley continued to spend most of her time in Sprague with her father after her mother moved to Mont.

Shirley attended school in Sprague, where she met her future husband, J. Curtis Melville, in the first grade. Shirley was valedictorian, and Curtis was salutatorian when t...