Naomi Virginia Lee Rice

Funeral services for Naomi Virginia Lee Rice will be held 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 20, 2019 at the Oak Grove Church with the Reverend Leon McDowell officiating. Interment will be held at 2:30 PM that afternoon at the Erin Springs Cemetery, south of Lindsay, OK.

Virginia was born June 11, 1935 in Bradley, OK to the late Fred & Neoma (Woodard) Pate. She died on Monday, June 17, 2019 in Davis, at the age of 84 years and 6 days. Virginia and Willie Ben “WB” Rice were married on September 19, 1953 in Chickasha.

Virginia grew up in Wewoka, Oklahoma City and Chickasha. She was a 1953 graduate of Chickasha High School. Early in her adult life, she worked several years as an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone. She later worked as a secretary for Binyon Funeral Home, the Salvation Army and Talley Pest Control, all of Chickasha. Later she and WB moved to Duncan, where Virginia spent several years working as a cashier for Walmart, retiring in 2002.

She was an avid reader. Whether it was a good book, magazine article or a newspaper, Virginia was always reading. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles and spending time in area parks enjoying nature. Virginia was all about her family. She cherished each family member and spending time with them brought great joy. She loved attending church functions, especially if there were prizes involved. Virginia was a very inquisitive individual. Her continuous questions brought much irritation, yet so much laughter to her family.

Survivors include her husband, WB; two daughters, Karen Bailey & husband Fred of Sulphur and Kelli Marcon of Duncan; son Kerry Rice & wife Rachellle of Duncan; five grandchildren, Jeff Bailey & wife Natalie, Greg Bailey & wife Tonia, Matt Bailey & wife Hailey, Racheal Boss & husband Daniel and Chatney Marcon; 19 great-grandchildren and one on the way; as well as her beloved sister, Wanda Tannehill & husband Joey of Chickasaw, who revered Virginia as a mother.

In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by two sisters, Carmie Freeman and Geneva Woods; and two brothers, JB and Bill Pate.