Lorene Noffel

Lorene Noffel, 90, of Portageville, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

She was born Oct. 2, 1912, daughter of John and Lamia Hamra. She and Shawie Noffel were married Aug. 16, 1931, in Caruthersville, Mo.

The Noffels moved to Portageville in 1946, where they entered into the grocery business on Main Street. In 1964 Noffel's Big Star moved to its new location where they remained until they retired from the grocery business in 1976, at which time they opened Sandy's Hallmark.

Mrs. Noffel was well known in the community. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Wesleyans, United Methodist Women, and P.E.O. Chapter GU. She was an avid bridge player and loved the time spent with her friends.

Survivors include a son, Dr. S. Edwin Noffel of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Sondra Noffel Biggs of Memphis, Tenn.; four granddaughters, Nancy Miller of Memphis, Kaffee Hopkins of Atlanta, Ga., Edwina Johnson of Knoxville, Tenn., Sara Summerour of Atlanta; five great-grandchildren, Meredith, Katharine and Andrew Miller of Memphis, and Park and Billie Summerour of Atlanta.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a sister, Sally Shibley; and two brothers, Sam and John Hamra.

Friends may call at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville after 5 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Portageville, with the Rev. George Braden officiating. Burial will be in Portageville Cemetery.