Bertha Louise Rice

Bertha Louise Rice, 92, of Fredericksburg, TX passed from this life on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at her home surrounded by family. She was born November, 8, 1926 in Beaumont, TX to parents, Alphonse J. Lopez Sr. and Apalonia Kuhn Lopez. Bertha grew up in Beaumont, with her four siblings, brothers, Alphonse Jr.; Milton and John and sister, Dorothy. Bertha graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1944, she was a cheerleader, member of the Drum and Bugle Corp and captain of the girls basketball team. In 1947, she married Leonard E. Rice, Sr. and together their raised five children. They also had a passion for volunteer work and community service, a little league team even named a t ball field, ''Rice Field'' honoring the couple's years of service. In 1991, the couple moved to Fredericksburg, TX where Bertha continued her passion and dedication for volunteering benefiting St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fredericksburg and St. Francis in Stonewall, both churches close to her heart. Bertha and Leonard spent 61 beautiful years together, until his death in 2008. Bertha is preceded in death by parents, Alphonse and Apalonia Lopez; siblings, Alphonse Lopez, Jr.; Dorothy Lopez Cranford; Milton Lopez, John Lopez; and beloved husband of 61 years, Leonard E. Rice Sr. She is survived by her children, Vivian (James) Bloomfield of Kilgore, TX; Virginia (James) Paul of Murfneesboro, TN; Vickie (Michael) Manley of Fredericksburg, TX; Leonard (Jan) Rice of Dripping Springs, TX; and Milton (Cathy) Rice of Nome, TX. Also left to cherish her memory include 13 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. All who met Bertha felt it was a privilege to know her and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A funeral service will take place Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 4PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 304 W. San Antonio Street, Fredericksburg, TX 75624. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont, TX on June 7, 2019 at 2PM.