Joyce T. Rice

Joyce Rice grew up around Iola, Texas, as one of twenty children in the family. As a child, she had a bone disease that was cured when a part of her leg bone was replaced with a goat’s bone.

When she was sixteen, she met her husband at a church Sunday School party. They married when she was 17 and went on to have three children. She retired from Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Texas A&M University System.

She loved God and had faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior. She was a dedicated member of Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas for many years. She loved the Lord and hymnal music. Attending church was a staple in her life, where she fellowshipped with her friends who were like family.

Joyce got to meet the 41st President, George H.W. Bush, for a private tour with her daughter and son-in-law at the George Bush Library. A once in a lifetime event for her, she cherished the photo that was taken of them together.

She loved to play dominoes (42) with family and friends. She watched Fox News, explaining that it was about real people and real-life events, which is why she did not like movies. But, she loved reading mystery books, and while she was able to, she had fun going to garage sales and finding treasures. Mostly, she also just enjoyed her home being the gathering spot for family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Texas Dudley and Zula Dudley; husband, Rhodes Edwin Rice; daughter, Glenda Fling and husband Jerry Fling; grandson Ricky Scott Rice; and many deceased siblings.

Joyce is survived by her son, Ricky Rice and wife Sharon; daughter, Patsy Klunkert and husband Matt; grandchildren, Jay Fling and wife Jessica Fling, Jo Ellen Oertli and husband Eddie Oertli, Bryan Rice and wife Kim Rice, Stacy Collier and husband Aaron Collier, Audra Arnold and husband Jeff Arnold, and Joyce Husted and husband James Husted; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and siblings, Judy Lambright, and Richard Dudley and his wife June Dudley.

The family acknowledges the following special people and organizations and extends special thanks to Accel at College Station Nursing Home for their love and compassion during her last four years of life; Enhabit Hospice for caring for Joyce and making her feel comfortable and loved during her last week; Dr. Mamigonian, whom she called Dr. Jack, for all the years of being her doctor. He took the extra time to visit with her, which she truly enjoyed, and was always available when needed.