Lillian Shelton Rice

Lillian M. Rice January 24, 1927 - June 26, 2014 Lillian M. Rice of Waco died Thursday, June 26, 2014. She passed away peacefully at Providence Hospice Place surrounded by her family and friends. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 1, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Rev. John Dirk and Rev. Bill Austin officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 5:00 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 30, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Lillian was born January 24, 1927, in Waco, Texas, to Douglas and Anna Rose Shelton. She graduated from Waco High School in 1944, and attended 4-C Business College in Waco. She began work at Behren's Drug Company, where she met her husband, E.Z. Rice. They were married on December 26, 1946. She worked as a bookkeeper at Bird-Kultgen Ford for many years and later worked in the Midway ISD tax office. She was a charter member of Woodway First United Methodist Church. Lillian was well known for being a wonderfully gifted baker, and her hummingbird cakes and brownies were much loved by all. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 60 years, E.Z. Rice; and her brother, Charles Shelton and wife, Jeannine. She is survived by her son, Roger C. Rice of Waco; nephews, Jerry Rice and wife, Joyce, of Austin, Chris Shelton, Phil Shelton and wife, Brenda, all of Dallas, and Mike Harrington of Seattle, Washington; nieces, Carolyn Eary and husband, Emmett, of Pflugerville, Sharon Sorenson and husband, Ernie Parker, of Trinidad, Colorado, Dianne and Gary France of El Paso, Texas, Elaine and Charles Foreman of Clovis, New Mexico, Suzanne Lintner of Houston, Rhonda and Mike Torres of Ft. Worth, Kathy Harrington and husband, Gary Flemmons, of Austin, Sheila Rice of Georgetown, Texas, Jill and Tim Roos of Mansfield, Texas, and Fran and Barry Salavon of Ft. Worth. Survivors also include many cousins, especially Jack Miller and wife, Charlotte, of Gilbert, Arizona, Doug Miller of Waco, and Lillian "Sissy" Foster and husband, Steve, of Canyon Lake, Texas; and also Rufus Earl of Turnersville, Texas. Pallbearers are Jerry Rice, Jack Miller, Doug Miller, Bill Furrer, Emmett Eary and Jim Todd. Honorary pallbearers are Charley Furrer, Arvis Walter, Ernie Parker and Gary Flemmons. The family wishes to extend thanks to our church family at First United Methodist Woodway, the staff of Regent Care and Wesley Woods, with special thanks to the Providence Place Hospice and to Sissy Foster and her daughters, Patti, Pam and Paula for their loving care during Lillian's last days on earth. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, Providence Hospice and Woodway First United Methodist Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.