Elaine S. Rice

Elaine S. Rice, 88, of Baytown, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2014 in Houston. She was born June 22, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana to her parents Henry C. Schroeder and Elvina ""Belle"" Baudry Schroeder.

Elaine graduated from Brookhaven High School in Brookhaven, MS, in 1942. She graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in 1946 with a bachelor's degree in English; she was a member of Mortar Board, Pi Delta Epsilon journalism honorary, and Sigma Pi Alpha Spanish honorary. Before moving to Baytown in 1953, she worked several years as a reporter and women's editor for the State Times and the Morning Advocate in Baton Rouge, La. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baytown. After raising her children, she entered South Texas College of Law in 1977, graduating in May 1980; she edited the school newspaper, Annotations, during her last year there. She had her own law practice for several years. Elaine served two terms as a member of Lakewood Civic Association, and served on the school board of St. Joseph's Parish. She was involved with the Baytown Human Relations Council in the 1960s. She loved keeping up with current events and spoke vigorously about her political views and the news of the day. She loved sports, and initiated a petition drive that led to the establishment of the Robert E. Lee High School girls' swim team which had its first season in the 1970-1971 school year.

Elaine was a generous, strong-willed, self-confident woman, with a strong moral character and sense of fairness. She felt that going to a women's college gave her more confidence to do whatever she wanted, and as a woman, if she decided she wanted to do something, she set out to do it. She was a firm believer in good education for all, and constantly promoted ideas to improve schooling and education for the public in general. She devoted herself to giving each of her children every opportunity to find their own chosen paths in life, and strived to do the same for her grandchildren as well. In the 1990s, she and Gerry traveled extensively around the United States in their RV, exploring many of the great national parks of the U.S. and loving every minute of it. Elaine loved her family and extended family very much, and was much loved in return. She was a force of nature, and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Michael Lawrence Rice and David Keenan Rice; granddaughter, Cara Elaine Davis; brother, Henry C. Schroeder, Jr.; sisters, Dolores McJilton, Gloria Fitzgerald, Hyacinth Sauer and Iris Hope Schroeder; sister-in-law, Ann Rice Pearce; and nephew Arn McJilton.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Gerald L. Rice of Baytown; daughters, Anne C. Rice of Houston and Elizabeth R. Davis and husband Ray K. Davis of Lafitte, Louisiana; daughter-in-law Carol Rice of Dayton; grandchildren, Rachel A. Davis (husband Mark Bohenick), Art Davis, Dean Davis, Chris Smith (wife Racquel), Kenny Smith (wife Krystal); great-grandchildren Ira Keith Bohenick, Ryan and Kelsey Smith, Kalista and Kloey Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m., at Navarre Funeral Home on Friday, April 11, 2014 with Deacon John Singer officiating. A Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 12, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Dwight Canizares officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111.