Maxine Edwards Hays, 78 of Bowling Green, MO passed away at the Moore-Pike Nursing Home on Sunday, February 14, 2010 after a short battle with cancer.

Maxine was born on April 24, 1931 in rural New Hartford, MO, the daughter of Willie V. and Bertha S. (Trower) Edwards who both proceeded her in death.

She was united in marriage to Raymond Hays, Jr. on February 20, 1954 in Hannibal, MO.  She always said that while Raymond could ruffle her feathers, he was her one true love and soul mate.  After over 50 years of marriage, Raymond proceeded her in death on December 17, 2005.

Maxine will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children and their families.  David L. Hays and wife Debbie of Mexico, MO.; Margaret F. Hays and friend Daniel Padilla, of Louisiana, MO.; Richard W. Hays and wife Renee of Waynesville, MO.

Maxine cherished her grandchildren and loved spending time with them.  Laura Kate and Julie Anne Resor are the daughter of Margaret.  Braden Raymond is the son of Richard & Renee.  Sadly she did not get to hold her newest grandchild; Cassandra Lynn who was born just two days before she passed away.  Cassie is the new daughter of Richard and Renee. 

Maxine is also survived by, and will be sadly missed, by her two brothers and one sister.   Richard Edwards of New Hartford, MO.; Emma Belle Clithero of Vandalia, MO and Bill Edwards of Afton, MO.  She is also survived by a niece Carolyn Peterson of St. Charles, MO., nephew Philip Clithero of Columbia, MO., and numerous great nieces and great nephews.

She loved her family, gardening, reading, traveling, feeding & watching birds, cooking for those that loved to eat, and watching Cardinal Baseball.  She was a member of the New Hartford Baptist Church and made many good friends there who were very supportive of her after, Raymond’s death, the fire that destroyed her home, and her recent illness.  Their love and support will never be forgotten.

Maxine started work at Community State Bank in 1949 and retired in 1996 after 44 years of service. She was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Symrna Cemetery Association for many years and loved to raise the fresh flowers used each August to decorate the graves of her family members, the Civil War Veterans, and the Veterans of more recent military service who are buried there.

Funeral Services will be held at the Mudd-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green with visitation held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, February 17th and services starting at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 18th.  Pastor Paul Lewis will officiate the service on Thursday with burial at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Bowling Green.

Pallbearers will be:  Kent Dixon, Mark Goodin, Paul Hill, George Huber, Jessie Lucas, and Lavern Perkins.

Honorary Pallbearers will be:  Barbara Cox, Vera Dixon, Diane Fuerst, Joyce Lovelace, Jerry Long, Lavena Long, Wanda Lucas, Brad Lucas, Daniel Padilla, Theresa Trower and Hazel Worrell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maxine’s memory to the New Hartford Baptist Church or the Smyrna Cemetery Association.