Clovita Rice

Clovita Rice, 96, died peacefully February 14. She was preceded in death by Clarence Rice, her husband of 70 years. Her parents were Elmer H. and Mary Ola Powers of Fayetteville. Deceased brothers were Deryl Powers of Springdale, Max Powers of Springfield, Mo. and Norman Powers of Fayetteville.

It was a Valentine’s Day party in 1947, seventy-nine years ago, where Clovita and Clarence first met on a church social hayride. Marriage soon followed. They are now together again, reunited on Valentine’s Day 2026. Filled with joy to be sharing one cozy space in heaven, side by side for eternity.

Clovita received her BA degree at the University of Arkansas and her MSE at Arkansas State University. She was named Arkansas’ Poet of the Present in 1969 by then Poet Laureate Rosa Marinoni. Clovita served as director of the Arkansas Writers’ Conference for twelve years, edited Voices International, a poetry journal, for 29 years and has published three books of poetry, Blow Out the Sun, Red Balloons for the Major and Crystal and Creatures. She was inducted into the Arkansas Writers’ Hall of Fame in 1998. Additionally, Clovita was an artist and had 14 one-woman shows, with paintings in both private and corporate collections.

She is survived by a son, Joe David Rice (Tracey) of Little Rock; daughter Robbi Rice Dietrich of Plano, Texas; daughter Vicki Fountain (Gary) of Little Rock and Houston, Texas. Grandchildren include Weston Rice (Alexandra) of San Francisco; Henry Rice of Little Rock; Maggie Frugé (Jason) of Celina, Texas; Matthew Dietrich (Jessica) of Oklahoma City, and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and extended family members who are much loved.

Funeral services will begin 4:00 PM, Friday, February 20, 2026 at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Children’s Homes, Inc.; 5515 Walcott Road; Paragould AR 72450.