Marjorie Bell Rickard

Marjorie Bell Rickard died gently the 25th of July 2015 from the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Paris, Texas the 16th of January 1928, the second child of Clyde Errol Bell and Lois Easton Bell. She received her grammar school education at the classic Miss Madge’s one room schoolhouse for all grades. She then attended Paris High School, graduating with honors. She next entered the University of Texas majoring in Plan II. She quickly demonstrated her leadership qualities in many campus activities. She was an active member of Chi Omega sorority. She was elected president of Panhellenic, the umbrella organization of all campus sororities. She was also a member of the prestigious spirit group Orange Jackets. In her senior year, she was an officially designated Outstanding Student.

After graduating in 1948, Marge spent a few months at her home in Paris before returning to Austin as the secretary to the Dean of Men. During that time, she met her future husband, James Alexander Rickard, who was in graduate school. They were married in 1952. Upon completion of his academic studies, he accepted a job with the Humble Oil and Refining Company and the couple moved to Houston in 1953. In Houston, Marge became a homemaker and mother to a daughter in 1955 and a son in 1956.

Ever the high achiever, she did not let motherhood keep her from many outside activities. Among many civic activities, she was a docent at Bayou Bend for over two decades. Marge was a strong supporter of her university. With her husband, she established an endowed lectureship in the College of Arts and Sciences. She was a member of the College of Liberal Arts Advisory Committee for many years and was a member of the President’s Associates and a charter member of the Littlefield Society.

Marge’s numerous church activities were evidence of her faith and gracious spirit. At the Church of St. John the Divine Episcopal, she taught Sunday school for many years and served as President of the Church Women. She was the first woman at St. John’s to be chairman of the Every Member Canvass, the annual operating fund raising effort. She was on the Altar Guild and served as its chair for a dozen or so years. The Bishop of Texas appointed her Directress of the Altar Guild of the Diocese of Texas, serving the usual three year term. Finally, she was elected to the National Altar Guild Board of Directors and was a member and also their Parliamentarian for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lois Easton Bell and Clyde Errol Bell; and her sister and brothers, Eleanor Bell Guinn, Claiborne Murray Bell and Clyde Stuart Bell. Marge is survived by her loving husband, James A. Rickard; daughter, Claire Rickard Palmer and her husband, Samuel Lee Palmer; son John Alexander Rickard and his wife, Frances Jacobson Rickard; grandchildren, James Alison Rickard and his wife, Melody; Anne Elizabeth McGonigle and her husband, Josh; Andrew Howard Palmer; Alison Melissa Palmer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 7th of August in the Chapel of The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, in Houston. Friends are cordially invited to a reception with the family immediately following the service in Sumners Hall.

In lieu of the customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions in Marge’s memory be directed to The Church of St. John the Divine or the charity of your choice.