Carol Ann Rice

Carol Ann (Janecek) Rice, age 61, passed away peacefully at home on September 5, 2025, surrounded by family and prayer, after a long fought battle with FTD and ALS.

Carol was born on December 1, 1963, in Smithville, Texas, to Alvin and Nancy Janecek. She spent her early childhood in Houston before her family returned to Smithville, where she graduated from Smithville High School in 1982.

On January 7, 1984, Carol married the love of her life, Daniel Stephen Rice, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Together, they built a loving home in Smithville, where they shared 41 wonderful years of marriage. They were blessed with two children, Darren and Lauren, and four cherished grandchildren.

Carol dedicated 15 years of service to the State of Texas before joining the Bastrop County Clerk’s Office, where she faithfully served for 20 years until her retirement on January 1, 2022.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Daniel Rice; son Darren Rice and his wife Becky; daughter Lauren Rice Wood and her husband Andy; and her four beloved grandchildren, Rilla Rose Rice, Loni Ann Rice, Daniel Shepley Wood, and Lily Jane Wood. She is also survived by her mother, Nancy Janecek; siblings Janice Lucas, Robert Janecek, and Brian Janecek; as well as many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who loved her deeply.

Carol was preceded in death by her father, Alvin Janecek; her in-laws, Lonnie and Gladys Rice; and her nephew, Joshua Goode.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Smithville community and St. Paul’s Catholic Church for their steadfast love, support, and prayers throughout Carol’s illness. They would also like to thank her dedicated caregivers—Sandie Wigton, Vicky Gonzales, Izzy Lopez, and Androni Esquibel—as well as the JOL hospice care team, especially Angelo Garcia, Sarah Medack, and Lia Scott, for the compassion and dignity they provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration at www.TheAFTD.org.

Visitation and Rosary will be Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home. The visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and the Rosary will begin at 7:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be 1:30pm on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Smithville with burial following at Oak Hill Cemetery.