Barbara Rose Marshall Noel passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
She was a loved and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin to her family.
Born on Monday, December 11, 1933 to Johnnie “Big Daddy” and Irene “Bigmama” Marshall. Barbara was the oldest of 8 children. Her siblings include David Marshall (Naomi), Patricia Heflin, Wanda Wells, William “Billy” Marshall (Brenda), Charlotte Marshall, Martha “Jane” Threatt (Danny), and John Marshall (Donna). This tight-knit group gathered together as often as they could to share love and laughs.
While on a trip to the soda shop in Cadiz, she spied a handsome man in his Army uniform. After courting and dating, Barbara accepted a proposal for marriage and went to Second Baptist in Hopkinsville to become Mrs. Hodge H Noel on June 15, 1949. Three girls and a boy would complete the Noel family over the next 8 years. Beverly Clark, Brenda Cheek (Mike), Barbara Faye Ramage, and Phillip Noel.
After briefly living in Cadiz and Louisville, Barbara and Hodge would move to Grand Chain, IL where they would put down roots. They moved to Lock & Dam 53, where once Brenda learned to drive, she decided to help her mother gain some independence by teaching her to drive in her early 30’s. Soon afterwards Barbara starting working, eventually landing at Huebotter’s Store where she became a fixture behind the meat counter. She greeted everyone who came in, making them feel welcome, and would make you a sandwich or cut you a great steak.
Her four children would lead to 10 grandchildren – Ashley Clark, Darryl Clark (John Wetzel), Clint Cheek, Lesley Ramage, Derek Clark, John Ramage (Miranda), Kathryn Newell (Heath), Blair Anderson (Justin Ice), Jessi Green (Bret), and Ashlyn Pierson; and 11 great-grandchildren – Dylan Green, Drew Green, Arissa McClellan, Laney Newell, Marshall Newell, Hayden Anderson, Dane Green, Hunter Newell, Tadge Anderson, Kinsleigh Green, and Emmalyn Green; and 1 great great-grandchild – Nellie Mae Morris.
The grandchildren were known to leave notes throughout her home staking their claim as the “favorite”, which she loved. Just like her mother before her, her goal was to make each one feel as if they were the favorite and most loved. And one of the best ways to make someone feel loved, is to be ready and willing to make their favorite dish. She was known for her chicken and dumplings, cornbread cakes, every fresh vegetable you could want, coconut pie, and her fried chicken. All you had to do was ask and she would cook you whatever you wanted. Along with being known for her cooking, she was also known for having a dry wit, sly grin and a bit of mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Although she never ventured much further from home than Dover to visit her siblings, Barbara did fulfill a couple of her wishes. She got to go watch the Cardinals play in person when Mark McGwire was there and she got to ride in a big rig and see the world from high up. Barbara loved classic country music, and especially George Jones. Her most favorite thing though, was to have her family gathered together. From wiffle ball in the front yard, to Bingo at family reunions, the conversations and laughter with family is what she loved most.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, by her husband of 53 years, and by her sister Wanda Wells who passed away in May.
Funeral services honoring the life of Mrs. Barbara Rose Marshall Noel will be held at 1 P.M. Friday, July 10, 2026 at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. The family will receive friends from 11 A.M until the sevice hour at the funeral home. Rev. Gerell Cain will be officiating. Interment will follow at the Cypress Cemetery in Cypress, Illinois.
Pallbearers will be, Isaac Pratis, Brett Green,Tadge Anderson, Justin Ice, Dane Green, Hunter Newell, Heath Newell, Marshall Newell, John Ramage, Dylan Green and Drew Green.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.
To leave an online message for the family or to share a memory, you can also visit our website at www.wilsonfuneralhome1928.com