Minnie Christine Hamlet was born March 1, 1924, in Huntsville, Alabama. She was the only child born to Oscar and Fannie Pope Hamlet. Minnie attended Council Elementary School in Huntsville. She was a graduate of Council High School in Huntsville, Alabama where she was an outstanding tennis and basketball player. She also sang soprano in the school choir. Minnie also attended Alabama A&M College.
October 1942, Minnie married her high school sweetheart, George E. Rice. To their union, three children were born. They were married seventy-two years until his death in 2014. Minnie worked several jobs after her youngest child went to high school. She worked at the former Wonder Bread Company, J.C. Penney, and ended her career as an attendance officer at Scott High School.
Minnie, along with her husband George, and other persons, were among the Founders of United Missionary Baptist Church. She served faithfully until ill health intervened. She sang in the choir, worked on the Food Band Committee and the Kitchen Committee.
Minnie was very active in the Lincoln School PTA and the Mothers’ Club while her children attended school there.
Thursday, May 12, 2022, Mrs. Minnie H. Rice transitioned to her heavenly home at the age of ninety-eight years old. She was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-two years, George E. Rice, Sr., and her granddaughter Georgette Redmond.
Minnie’s memory will be honored and cherished by her children: Ann R. Redmond (Robert), of Toledo, OH; George E. Rice, Jr. (Maxine), of Huntsville, AL; Robert A. Rice, Sr. (Emma), of Parker, CO; grandchildren: Susan R. Redmond, Robin C. Redmond, Kimberly Castenada (Raphael), George E. Rice, III (Morrisa), Robert A. Rice, Jr., Armani Dawkins (Andre); and five great-grandchildren: Taylor Rice, George E. Rice, IV, Santana Castenada, Oscar R. Redmond, and Maverick Dawkins.
