Melva B. Rice

Melva B. Rice, 89, passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2011 in Palestine, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Charles Rice of Oak Point, Texas officiating. Burial will follow in Hawkins Chapel Cemetery north of Loving, Texas under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Mrs. Rice was born on May 13, 1922, in Newcastle, Texas to W. O. and Hattie Mae Price. Both preceded her in death as did her brother, Cotton Price, of Odessa. On August 9, 1940 she married Thomas T. Rice Jr. (Peck). He preceded her in death on December 9, 2000. Mrs. Rice was a Licensed Vocational Nurse for more than fifty years in Graham, Olney, and Bridgeport. Her last caregiving role was as a records nurse at a Jacksonville nursing home. She was a member of United Methodist Churches in Loving, Bridgeport, and Jacksonville.

She is survived by four children, Charles Rice and wife, Tanya, of Oak Point, Texas, Ann House and husband, Mike, of Summershade, Ky., Loretta Allen and husband, Randy, of Tyler, and Cindy James of Jacksonville. Survivors also include her sister, Flo Tate of Bryson and husband, Dee, seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews and extended family.