Thelma Marie Hays, 88 of Brownwood passed away peacefully on Friday, February 13, 2026.  Her family will host a visitation on Monday, February 16th from 6-8 PM at Heartland Funeral Home in Early.  Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, February 17th, in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at the Windham Cemetery located in Brown County north of Lake Brownwood.

Marie was born on October 1, 1937 in Santa Anna, Texas to Fred and Melba Purcell.  She attended school in Bangs, Texas and graduated from Howard Payne University as a Licensed Registered Nurse.  As a nurse Marie cared for a lot of people, she had compassion and a heart for sick or hurting people.

Marie met Silas Billy Hays and they soon were married on January 20, 1954 in Midland, Texas and began a life together that blessed them with three children.  Marie’s first love was Jesus!  Her second love was her family and she loved them with her whole heart.

When Marie was at “Hays Getaway” she would carry a hatchet and walk the fence line cutting down small tree limbs, all the while talking to God and praying for her family and anyone else, she thought needed praying for.  She was loved by all who knew her.

Marie was survived by her daughter Janet Hays; sons Billy Hays and wife Sadie, Scott Hays and wife Becky and brother Mike Purcell all of Brownwood; grandchildren, Danny Olin, Melissa Egger, Stephanie Garcia, Rex Jones and Tiffany Lindauer, 15 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father Fred Purcell and mother Melba Nita Belle Meador Purcell; Her husband Bill Hays; brothers Walter Melton Purcell, Eddie Purcell, O.J. Purcell and Larry Purcell; sisters Tula Simmons and Betty Purcell; daughter in love Stephanie Ice and granddaughter Heather Domingues.

Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net