Ruby Nowell

Ruby Marie Hayes Nowell, born on May 18, 1928, in Parsons, Tennessee, to the late Ollie William and Mamie Rae Brunt Hayes, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Cape Girardeau. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 76 years, Robert Lee Nowell.

Marie was a devoted mother to her seven children. She found great joy in watching her young children play on the levee in front of their house as they were growing up. Known for her cooking skills, she delighted many with her delicious meals prepared in numerous restaurants in her hometown of Portageville. Upon her late husband's retirement, they opened The Levee Road Bargain Center, where they sold used tires, clothes and home goods. They both delighted in providing others with the opportunity to find treasures.

As her children grew and began their own families, Marie cherished the opportunity to travel in the States and abroad to visit them, relishing in the company of her grandchildren. A lover of reading, she most enjoyed reading John Grisham novels and "Condensed Reader's Digest", but her truest comfort was found within the pages of her cherished Bible, adorned with personal entries and markings.

In her later years, Marie discovered a new passion for coloring, finding peace and creativity in this simple pleasure. Her legacy of love, faith, kindness and resilience will forever endure in the hearts of those she touched.

Marie was a longtime member of the Portageville Church of Christ.

Marie is survived by her seven children, Robert Larry (Betty) Nowell of Portageville, Donnie William (Delores) Nowell of Mount Olive, Illinois, Janet Nowell (Grover) Faulk of Portageville, Patricia Nowell Silman of Cape Girardeau, Ricky Lee Nowell of Portageville, Anthony Allen Nowell of Cape Girardeau, and Randy Michael (Donna) Nowell of Portageville; two sisters, Emma Lou Adams and Pat Macanufo; one sister-in-law, Cecelia Angel; 18 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of many other relatives and friends.

Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Ollie and Mamie Hayes; four brothers, Rex Hayes, J.B. Hayes, Jerry Hayes and Danny Hayes; three sisters, Opal Jefferies, Nadine Hatfield and Judy Griffith; one grandson, Michael Allen Silman; and two great-grandsons, Chad Fleweger and Ayven Nolen.

Visitation will be begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at Delisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

The funeral will follow at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Estate Administrative Reform (C.E.A.R.), a non-profit seeking to end fraudulent guardianships and probate abuse. Make checks payable to C.E.A.R., EIN No. 82-4517166, 19825 North Cove Road, Suite B176, Cornelius, NC 28031.