Photo courtesy of Sanders Funeral Service - Kingfisher
Apr 24, 1951 - Feb 23, 2026
We grew up neighbors with the O’Quinns. They were a wonderful family and community members. Marlene and I were classmates. I enjoyed teaching with the girls at Houston Elementary.
Linda VanNatta Tomerlin Fischer
March 01, 2026 | Mineral Wells, TX | Neighbor
Susie O’Quinn Rice was a wonderful classmate and friend. You are missed my friend. I consider myself blessed having known you.
Robbie Richardson
February 28, 2026 | Mineral Wells, TX | Classmate
To James and Marvene and Billy and Cheryl , Stephen and Natalie I want to convey my sincerest condolences and love. I know James and Marvene through our Church in Sugarland, Texas. Marvene often spoke lovingly of her sister and I knew the parents very well. I know there will always be a hole in their hearts than can never be repaired. Now that she is back in the hands of her Savior may she rest in peace that I’m sure she so richly deserves. Blessings to all of you in the family. May...
Ken Williams
February 27, 2026 | Sugarland, TX | Friend
Susie was a wonderful friend and will be greatly missed. Always in my heart and thoughts. Farewell my beautiful Sister
Yvomne Themer
February 27, 2026 | Kingfisher, OK | Friend
Susie was a gentle, thoughtful, and caring friend that I had known for decades. She had so much love to give, and I feel blessed to have reconnected with her in the last few years. Her life was inspirational and influential. To know her was to love her! This world became a better place because of her. You will be missed!
Beth Deets
February 26, 2026 | Blanchard, OK | Friend
It was an honor and a joy for us to get to know our dear sweet friend Susie Rice.
Kathleen/James Hammock
February 26, 2026 | Mineral Wells, TX | Friend
Susie was a new friend to me. We met at few years ago as our hearts were broken and healing from the loss of our husbands. Each year when we were in South Fork, we would get together to share our love of teaching, books and family over a glass of wine. I will miss our conversations and her sweet smile. I'll be thinking of her fondly when I look over at the OREO CABIN.❤
Sharon Dak
February 26, 2026 | Colorado Springs, CO | Friend
Thank you for all you have done! Misty Rojas and family
Misty Rojas
February 26, 2026 | Kingfisher, OK | Acquaintance
Susie Rice
April 24, 1951 – February 23, 2026
Susie Rice of Kingfisher returned peacefully to the Lord on February 23, 2026.Born in Dallas, TX but relocated later in life to Oklahoma with her husband, Tim. Susieconsidered Kingfisher to be her true home. It was there that her kind spirit, givingnature, and strong will continues to make an impact on the community and its residents.
An elementary school teacher for more than 34 years, Susie helped shape the mindsand hearts of hundreds of students, with many to later request having their own childrenbe in Mrs. Rice’s class. While her small frame and quiet voice may have beenoverlooked by some, those who knew her best could easily see that her unselfish natureand generosity were readily given without limits or expectations.
The daughter of Dr. William and Bonnie O’Quin, Susie was the middle child of threesiblings and would spend the early part of her life growing up in north Texas. From anearly age, Susie’s rambunctious spirit and outgoing personality gave her the ability toturn second grade acquaintances into life-long friends.
Susie graduated high school as part of the Rams Class of 1969 in Mineral Wells, TXand it was while in high school that Susie would gain her passion for education as wellas meet her future husband – Tim Rice.
Despite their on-again, off-again beginning that saw Tim drafted into the service by theU.S. Army, Susie went on to attend Baylor University where she would graduate with aBachelors in Elementary Education. The twosome would later reunite in marriage inJanuary of 1974 at a ceremony in her childhood home.
From that moment, they were virtually inseparable and would go on to spend 45 yearsof devoted matrimony that led to the birth of their two children – Jessica and Matthew.The family would later take up residence on the homestead of Tim’s grandparentswhere Susie humbly took on the duty of being a farmer’s wife while teaching both 1stand 3rd Grade during her time at Gilmour Elementary in Kingfisher.
Susie loved watching the lives of the children she taught as they matured into adulthoodand would take great pride in watching them transition from school children to teenagerto adults with their own families. She once confessed one of her greatest fears waswhen past students would greet her in town or while traveling and she couldn’t recalltheir names.
Susie loved to garden and took great pride in preparing a fresh meal for anyone whoentered her home. She enjoyed traveling, attending concerts, hummingbirds, andsettling into a good book. Susie also believed firmly in giving back to those lessfortunate and proudly served as a board member of the local Meals on Wheels, takingpart in the delivery for several years, including into the final weeks of her life.
Susie was also known far and wide for being a living encyclopedia of birthdays,anniversaries, and special occasions for all those she considered friends and family.Whether that included personalized mail or the first to post on social media, Susie was amaster of personal correspondence and her collection of yearly calendars with datesmarked of remembrances rarely left a day with cards not going out in the mail.
Following the death of her husband, Susie transitioned from her role of wife and motherinto perhaps her favorite role of “Aunt Susie” to her extended family and then to “Mimi”for her grandchildren, which she continued providing encouragement and love until herlast breath.
Susie is preceded in death by her husband, father, and mother. She is survived by herdaughter (Jessica) and her husband (Stephen Jones) along with their daughter(Natalie), her son (Matt) and his wife (Jessica) and their two children (Aspen and River),her brother (Bill O’Quin) and wife (Cheryl) and her sister (Marvene) and husband(James Eastham) along with a host of beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, countlessfriends and self-adopted honorary grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be in Susie’s name to St. Jude Children Research Hospital(501. St. Jude Place. Memphis, TN 38105) or the local Meals on Wheels (201 S 6th St, Kingfisher, OK 73750).
A wake service will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM and funeral service on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 309 South Main Street, Kingfisher, OK 73750 with burial to follow at Kingfisher Cemetery. Under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.
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