Mother Mamie Ford Rice, daughter of the late Viola Ford Anderson and Henry Ford, was born August 2, 1933, in Huntsville, Alabama. She quietly departed this life on Monday, April 8, 2019, at Huntsville Hospital.
Accepting Jesus Christ at an early age as her personal Lord and Savior, Mamie was baptized. She later joined the Union Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church where she served as a faithful mother, singer, and member until her death. She was also an active member of the Hendley Chapter #855 Order of Eastern Star as well a member of the East Cemetery Improvement Association who quoted: “In her former years, she frequently hosted meetings in her home. We are so grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Rice for their warm and genuine hospitality”.
She was employed at Huntsville Hospital for over 30 Years working in Labor and Delivery, Well Baby and Intensive Care Nursery, and other departments caring for babies. After her retirement, she later worked for ten years at Huntsville Hospital Day Care Center.
At an early age, Mamie married her best friend, Bill Rice, Jr., and was married for 65 years until his death in 2015. Mamie and Bill were blessed to bore six loving children.
Mamie was blessed with a large supportive and loving family. She was preceded in death by sisters: Evelyn Ford Pope and Alma Anderson Patton; brothers: Henry Ford, Jr., Bobby Ford, Billy Ford, Lloyd Ford and Carl Anderson.
She leaves to cherish her memory seven loving, faithful, caring and devoted children, daughters: Kathy Rice of Lanham, MD, Genevia Hughes, Dr. Deloris Smothers (William), Carolyn Washington (Booker) and Mary Louise Rice; all of Huntsville, AL; sons: Billy Rice (Rose) of Huntsville, AL and Michael Rice (Katrina) of Hamden, CT; five grandsons: Marcus Hughes, Marshall Hughes, Ashley Rice, Alston Rice all of Huntsville, AL and Mitchel Rice of Hamden, CT; nine great-grandchildren: Taylor Hammons Hughes, Tyren Hawkins, Justin Hughes, Anaya Rice, Nicole Hughes, Natalie Hughes, Kingston Rice, Princeton Rice and Hughston Rice; one brother, James Earl Ford of Pasadena, CA; three sisters-in-law: Marie Jacobs, Leola Rice and Penny Anderson Hurt; one brother-in-law, Prince Patton, a very special loving cousin, Addie Milton (Tommie Lee); and many very supportive and loving nieces, nephews, cousins as well as The Ford (Chicago), Jacobs, Humphrey, Maples, Patton, Pope, Rice, and Readus families, Cora White and Doris Maples. Also, Mother Mamie had some very devoted friends: Mrs. Laura Burroughs, Mrs. Alberta Jones, Mrs. Mary Blankenship, Mrs. Fannie Bradford, Mrs. Nora Jean Lee and Mrs. Barbara Ballard.
Funeral service will be 12:00 noon, Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Union Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (3126 Nevel Drive Huntsville, AL 35810) with Dr. Edward Anderson officiating. Interment will be in the Valhalla Memory Gardens. Mrs. Rice will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Rice family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
Public viewing will be held from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2019 and 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the Royal Funeral Home.
