Ruby Marie Hayes Nowell, born on May 18, 1928 in Parsons, TN, to the late Ollie William Hayes and Mamie Rae Brunt Hayes, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2024, in Cape Girardeau, MO.  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, MO.  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 long-time member of the Portageville Church of Christ.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Nowell; parents, Ollie and Mamie Hayes; four brothers, Rex Hayes, J.B. Hayes, Jerry Hayes, and Danny Hayes; and three sisters, Opal Jefferies, Nadine Hatfield, and Judy Griffith; one Grand son, Michael Allen Silman; and  two Great Grandsons, Chad Fleweger and Ayven Nolen .

She is survived  by her seven children, Robert Larry Nowell (Betty) of Portageville, MO, Donnie William Nowell (Delores) of Mt. Olive, IL, Janet Nowell Faulk (Grover) of Portageville, MO, Patricia Nowell Silman of Cape Girardeau, MO, Ricky Lee Nowell of Portageville, MO, Anthony Allen Nowell of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Randy Michael Nowell (Donna) of Portageville, MO; 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.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 11, at 10:00 AM, and the funeral will follow at 1:30 PM at Delisle Funeral Home in Portageville, MO.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to C.E.A.R., Center for Estate Administrative Reform, a non-profit seeking to end Fraudulent Guardianships and Probate Abuse.  You may make checks payable to C.E.A.R., EIN #82-4517166, 19825 North Cove Road, Suite B176, Cornelius, NC  28031.