Ruby Marie Bumpas Marlow

Ms. Ruby Marie Bumpas Marlow, age 79, of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rosemont Cemetery in Columbia, Tennessee. Ms. Marlow will lie in state Friday, May 29, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the funeral home. A visitaion will be held Saturday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

Our beloved mother Ruby Marie “Mama Marie” Bumpas-Marlow was born April 17, 1947 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, to the late James Bumpas and Ruby Coleman Cobble-Bumpas. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, brothers J.B. Cobble, Roy Cobble, sisters Maxine Cobble-Jackson, Flora Bumpas-Jennings (Roy) and former husband Walter Lee Marlow Jr.

Ruby graduated from Carver-Smith High School, Columbia, TN. She participated in basketball, marching band and tap dancing. She attended nursing school but put it on hold to care for her 5 children and numerous family members.

Ruby was employed at Maury County Hospital (Maury Regional Hospital) for several years. She was also employed at General Electric in Columbia, TN, until she was injured which required numerous surgeries. She continued to be a devoted caregiver for over 30 years. She never met a stranger and would go out of her way to help anyone that was in need, and would encourage them with kind words.

She had a love for pressing and curling her neighbors and daughters' hair without charge. She loved and cherished all of her family and friends especially the line dance group that is led by Yolanda Cothron, where she was named “Butterfly” of the group. Ruby accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age and she never strayed from her faith, especially during times of extreme pain, frustration and confusion. Her favorite Bible verses were Psalms 23 and Matthew 6: 9-13. Apart from playing basketball, participating in the marching band and tap and line dancing, she loved singing the song Jesus is loved by the Commodores. She sang so passionately in church that she would have everyone on their feet crying and shouting.

Ruby leaves to cherish her love and memory: children Bertrand (Yvette) Bumpas, (Dayton, OH), MIchelle (Kenneth) Hardy, (White House, TN), Lewana Marlow (Nashville, TN), Sharon Marlow, (Columbia, TN), Levon Marlow, (Columbia, TN) and step-son Anthony (Tasha) Black, (Cleveland, OH), brother John (Carolyn) Bumpas, (Columbia, TN), sisters Sara Bumpas, (Columbia, TN), Charlene Huddleston, (Nashville, TN), sister-in-law Sue Ann Cobble, (Columbia, TN), and brother-in-law Roy Jennings, (Detroit, MI).

Ruby leaves 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and childhood friends: Annie Ruth Dixon, (Nashville, TN), Laura Ann Dotson, (Nashville, TN), Mae Duncan, (Columbia, TN), Mary Neal-Faison, (Redford, MI), devoted friends: Trisha Wallace,(Columbia, TN), Steven and Samuel Beard, (Columbia, TN).

Ruby has left so many memories with family and friends far and near, She shall be surely missed but never forgotten.