Melba Rose Rice
1938 - 2021
Melba Rice went to be with Jesus on Thursday, September 16, 2021. Melba was born on September 29, 1938 in Bakersfield Ca. She was raised in Atascadero and settled in Santa Maria when she was fifteen years old. Melba worked as a young girl at Judy's Malt Shop in Santa Maria and that is where she met her late husband Tom. Tom and Melba were married 59 years. Melba retired from the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District as a school bus driver. She loved her 30 years of working there. She won many awards for participating in School Bus Road-eo competitions. Melba was preceded in death by her parents Art and Rosie Wipf and her husband Tom Rice. She is survived by her son Tom and his wife Tammie, daughter Kathy Rice Mendoza, three grandchildren; Jessica (Alex) Galvan, Garrett (Shayna) Rice, Michael (Monique) Ruiz, twelve great-grandchildren; Nina, Olivia, Jorgie, Layla, Michael, Carly, Colton, Cadence, Charlene, Michael, Camille, Alejandro, great-great grandchild; Zayden, two sisters; Dorlene Rose and Darlene Luther and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Dudley Hoffman Mortuary on Wednesday September 29, 2021 at 1:00
To leave a condolence for the family visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Dudley-Hoffman Mort, Crematory & Memory Gardens.
4 Entries
Linda Smith
November 6, 2021
My pen pal and friend I will miss you dearly!!!! Love Linda Duran
Linda Duran
Friend
September 20, 2021
You will be missed! But I know you are in the arms of Jesus! I know that Tom and your Mom were there to welcome you home! Rest in Peace. Thank you for all the love, encouragement and laugh throughout the years. I will always remember you don't come on your bus with chewing gum in your mouth!!! Rest in Peace Mama Melba. You are loved!
Martha J. Ruiz
September 20, 2021
Ma..i love and miss you so much!! You were the best grandma that i could have asked for. I know so much good stuff because of you,you taught me so many things and im so grateful for the all the love you gave to me growing up. I miss you here but i know up there with papa and jesus you are so much happier and for that im content. Until its my turn to go home...imma miss u mama
Jessica Galvan
Grand Parent
September 18, 2021
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Funeral services provided by:
Dudley-Hoffman Mort, Crematory & Memory Gardens1003 E Stowell Rd P.O. Box 248, Santa Maria, CA 93454
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