July 17, 1933 – June 3, 2018
Barbara Ann (Brendle) Rice, 84, of Sweet Home died June 3, 2018.
She was born July 17, 1933 in Vernonia, daughter of the late Thomas H. and Florence L. Brendle.
The family, including three younger brothers, moved to Carus, where her father worked in the mill and her mother ran Carus Corners grocery store. They later moved to Sweet Home, where her father ran a welding shop.
After graduating from Sweet Home High School in 1951 she worked for the Bank of Sweet Home at the back counter, helping folks balance their checkbooks and sometimes manning the drive-up window. She met her future husband – co-worker Clinton G. Rice – at the bank.
They were married Aug. 16, 1953 in Sweet Home.
Mrs. Rice continued to work outside the home until their first son, Gary, was born in 1957. She then devoted her time to mothering and homemaking. Over the next 10 years the Rices had a daughter and two more sons.
Mrs. Rice was a role model of kindness and thoughtfulness, always acting with empathy and giving the benefit of the doubt in any situation. She was happiest when surrounded by family and at gatherings through the years, making sure everyone was comfortable, happy and well fed with her abundant and delicious cooking.
She made a point, even into her 80s, to sit on the floor and play games with her grandkids.
Mrs. Rice enjoyed trips to the beach, nature (especially birds, flowers, rocks, and clouds), often sharing her awe and delight with others. She was an expert seamstress and quilter and enjoyed painting oils and watercolors as well as many other crafts.
She even pinstriped two vintage cars her husband restored. Though she would deny it, Mrs. Rice was very creative. No task seemed beyond her abilities nor, more importantly, beyond her willingness to tackle it. She often encouraged others, saying, “You could do that!”
Mrs. Rice attended St. Francis Episcopal Church in Sweet Home.
She is survived by a daughter, Kathy and son-in-law Dick Litts of Lakeside; sons Duane and daughter-in-law Susi Rice of Denver, Colo., and Scott and daughter-in-law Edene Rice of Sweet Home; brothers Robert and sister-in-law Mary Brendle of Sweet Home, and Jim and sister-in-law Bonnie Brendle of Lebanon; sister-in-law Ann Brendle of Voluntown, Conn.; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Clinton Gale Rice, on Nov. 2, 2017; son Gary Alan Rice in 2013; brother William Brendle in 2002; and half-sister Bobbie June Satterfield.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 22, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.