Pansy Rice was welcomed home into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on January 12, 2016. Comforted by her husband’s sister, Margaret Wade, she passed away peacefully at Fieldstone Memory Care in Yakima, Washington. Pansy was born June 13, 1933 to Claude and Ilda Henson in Ava, Missouri. They moved to Washington in her early years where she attended Yakima schools, graduating from Yakima High in 1951.
A quiet spirit, Pansy learned to submit to God in all things. From the beginning of her walk with Him, she was continually placed in areas of leadership – causing her to seek God more as she dealt with and overcame her shyness. For 60 years, she served in many ministries at Central Assembly of God, including Cradle Roll, Sunday School, Children’s Church, and Kids Club. Pansy was appointed Sunday School Superintendent and served in that role for many years. She also partnered with her husband Burl, to teach Adult Sunday school and facilitated a travel club for seniors called “Have Time Will Travel.” She was a prayer warrior, a giver and had a servant’s heart.
Having attained the highest rank in Campfire Girls, Pansy developed a similar ministry in her church. Kids Club was a place for children to learn and to hide God’s word in their hearts, allowing them to grow in relationship with Him. For more than a decade, many children attained high rank, learning about Jesus and His love for them.
Pansy and Burl valued the training of their children and decided that Pansy would stay home with them until her children were grown. She then worked in various positions, at a bank and at a travel agency as an executive secretary. When her grandchildren came along, however, Pansy once again stayed home to pass a godly foundation on to the next generation.
She’s survived by her two daughters, Patty Oliver and her husband Steve of Selah and Kathy Peretti and her husband Ron of Puyallup, 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Dale Henson and was greeted in heaven by her husband Burl Rice and her two sons Terry and Barry.
A celebration of Pansy’s life will be held at Central Assembly of God January 23, 2016 at 11:00 am.
Graveside service will be at 10:00 am Monday, January 25, 2016 at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any monetary donations made in her name be sent to Fieldstone Memory Care, 4120 Englewood Avenue, Yakima, Washington 98908.
Pansy’s life verse: Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven”
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