Josephine Anita Foley

On Saturday, December 24, 2023, as Jo rounded third, during the final inning of her life, she slid into home base for the final time. She was met with applause from her family that had gone before. They include her: Husband, Cecil Talmadge Foley; Mother, Velma Abshear Harvey Rice, Father, Edward Rice; Siblings: Elvie L. Harvey, Audrey Elizabeth Harvey, Margarett Maida Harvey Ray, Evelyn Rice Richards, Theodore Rice, Mary Pauline Rice Harvey, Roy Rice, and Edna Rice Elliott.

Josephine Anita Rice was born on November 3, 1922, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Yes, she was 101 years old.

Anyone who knew Jo knew that softball was her true passion. She prided herself on those years, telling anyone who would listen that it was playing softball or as she would say “ball” in her early youth that kept her young and allowed her to live as long as she did. As young as twelve she began playing for teams like the Blackwell Red Caps (1934), the Ponca Lassies, Bucks Sporting Goods (1938), the Ponca City National Loan and Investment, and the Seaside Oilerettes Colton, CA (1941)”. Newspaper clippings using words like “Slugging,” Champs,” “Swamp,” “Turn Tables,” “Defeated,” “Win” and one of Jo’s proudest moments was the infamous “Quadruple Play”. Years ago, her grandson interviewed her for a school project, it was titled 'A League of Her Own". In the last part of the interview, Jo said, "She missed it (playing ball) so much if only I could play one more game, as tears welled up in her eyes." According to a Blackwell Daily Journal article dated April 28, 1940, Jo planned on attending UJC in Tonkawa, Oklahoma majoring in Physical Education. Those dreams were never realized.

She left Oklahoma in 1940, resettling in San Bernardino, California. She married the love of her life, Cecil Talmadge Foley in 1941. They lived in San Bernardino, CA, Colton, CA, and Tucson, AZ. They started and had a family, they worked, they lived, they loved.

Those who knew Jo as Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother knew her as vivacious, beautiful, loving, family-oriented, forgiving, honest, strong-willed, stubborn, savvy, curious, engaged, devoted, happy, smart, no-nonsense, firm, a ball player, ahead of her time, sassy, generous, caring, inviting, cheery, a great hugger, loved, a would-be entrepreneur, encouraging, fierce, determined, loyal, she had integrity, an amazing work ethic, and last but not least competitive. Yep, that was her, wrapped in all those words. She was amazing.

Survived by her children; son, William Foley (Betty) of Prescott, AZ, and daughters: Betty Foley Voorhees of Tucson, AZ, Claire Foley of Hickory, NC, and Bobbie Foley Young (Benny) of Salinas, CA. Grandchildren: Shannon Voorhees of Tucson, AZ, Noelle Foley Lowden (Greg) of Trabuco Canyon, CA, Lexie Voorhees of Tucson, AZ, Anita Voorhees Abdeen (Nidal) of Fairfax, VA, William Voorhees (Nataly) of Tucson, AZ, Colleen Young of Tucson, AZ, and Audra McKinney (Eric) of Tucson, AZ. Great-grandchildren, Marissa Jones (Brendon) of Spokane, WA, James Foley of Traduce Canyon, CA, Brayden Voorhees of Tucson, AZ, Kyler Voorhees of Tucson, AZ, Zayne Abdeen of Fairfax, VA., Luke Voorhees of Tucson, AZ, and Otis Mac Lopez of Tucson, AZ. Great-great grandchildren: Bellamy Jones of Spokane, WA, and Dean Jones of Spokane, WA. Nieces: Sue Ann Ray Dalton of KS, Shirley Casino of CA, Judith Ann Rice, of MI, Louise DeWeese of Il., Lynn Humpries of MO., Roslyn Rice Tanquary of KS, Patricia Ford of Utah, and Linda Elliott Boyd of WA. Nephews: Bill Bowers, of Texas, Robert Ray of GA, Michael Foley of CA, and Rusty Champe of CA, and many great nieces and nephews across the country.

Graveside funeral services are planned for Monday, January 8, 2024, at 3pm at East Lawn Mortuary, 5801 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712