Mary Elizabeth Bowles Varnadore, age 86, or Patterson, Arkansas, passed away July 14, 2026 at Unity Health in Searcy, Arkansas. She was born March 17, 1940 in Pontotoc, Mississippi to the late Ottice Bowles and Nannie Mary Blaylock. She was a member of First Assembly of God church in McCrory, Arkansas. 

Mary served her community as a waitress and as a cook, and eventually retired from Gates Rubber Company in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Her favorite hobbies included listening to Gospel music, sewing, cooking, crafting, and spending time celebrating birthdays and holidays with her family. Her favorite Gospel song is Go Rest High on that Mountain and her favorite scripture verse is John 14:1-3.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lilly Virginia Bowles; and three brothers, Charles L. Bowles, Frankie Junior Bowles, and Troy Lee Bowles.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Ellen Varnadore Bowles (Ronald) of Morton, Arkansas, and Elizabeth Ann Varnadore Decker (Jeff) of New Madrid, Missouri; three brothers, Billy Gene Bowles of Florida, Donald Ray Bowles of Florida, and Mile Clifton Bowles of Mississippi; four grandchildren, Bill Varnadore of Judsonia, Arkansas, Houston Ray Mims of Bald Knob, Arkansas, Phillip Lloyd Decker of New Madrid, Missouri, and Justin Michael Decker of New Madrid, Missouri; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family members and friends. She will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her. 

A Celebration of Life is planned at a later date.