Marsel "Marcie" Lavern Lowe

Marsel (Marcie) Lavern Staires Lowe, most recently of Hanford, California, passed away on February 6, 2017 at the age of 83. Marcie was born on September 25, 1933 in Marmaduke, Arkansas to Reathel Gogue and William Cecil Staires. Marcie was the fourth of five sisters, and in 1945, Reathel and the girls left Arkansas to make a new home in Hanford, California. Marcie attended schools in Stratford and Hanford, graduating from Hanford High School in 1951. During her four years at Hanford High, Marcie was a majorette and played on the tennis team. Following graduation, Marcie moved to Edwards Air Force Base while employed with the telephone company. During her time at Edwards Air Force Base, she met Arja Smailes whom she would marry in 1954. In 1953, Marcie moved to Miami, Florida and became a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines. In February of 1955, Marcie and Arja welcomed their daughter, Kimberly Jaye. Immediately following Kim’s birth, Marcie spent three long years fighting tuberculosis at Battey State Hospital, a sanatorium in Rome, Georgia. After regaining her health, Marcie was reunited with Kim and returned to Miami, Florida where she continued working for Eastern Airlines until 1963. In 1960, Marcie married Albert Hughes. They were married for seventeen years. In 1963, Marcie began working for Varig Brazilian Airlines, first at the ticket counter and eventually working her way up to senior sales representative. In 1978, Marcie married the love of her life, Maynard Lowe Jr., and the two spent 38 glorious, globe-trotting years together until Maynard’s passing last October.

Marcie is predeceased by her husband, Maynard Lowe Jr., her mother, Reathel Gogue Staires, her father, William Cecil Staires, and sisters, Zelma Louise Gammell and Thelma Lee Cardoza. Marcie is survived by her daughter Kim and husband Mike Sheffield of Hanford, California, granddaughters, Erin and husband Nicholas Sanchez of Santa Barbara, California, Ryan and husband Adam Feldman of San Ramon, California, and great-grandchildren, Margot, Oliver, and Evelyn Sanchez, and Kayla Feldman, all whom she loved – and loved her – very much. She is also survived by sisters Mary Boren and Tina Carreiro, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to caregivers, Lorri Mattos and Laura Serna for their compassion, friendship and support, to Sojourn Hospice, especially Stacey, Karey, and Alberto for their skilled assistance and guidance, to Dr. Eric Sorensen for his kindness and wisdom, and to Pastor Ken McMillan for making Marcie’s final days peaceful and filled with the word of God.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Sojourn Hospice & Palliative Care, Fresno, LLC., 1318 East Shaw Avenue, Suite 100, Fresno, Ca. 93710-7913; Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or the friend’s charity of choice.

A memorial service for Marcie will be held at People’s Funeral Home located at 501 North Douty Street, Hanford, Ca. on February 15, 2017 at 1:00 pm. She will be interred in Key West, Florida at a later date.

Family and Friends are invited to view Marcie’s legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com and send condolences to the family.