Gladys Ann Rice (Grohman)

Gladys Ann Rice (Grohman) passed away peacefully on August 17th - surrounded by loved ones and holding her rosary near her heart.  

Born on October 4th, 1934, in String Prairie, TX, she spent most of her youth on a small family farm with her parents and siblings.  It was there she learned the importance of hard work, dedication to the Catholic faith, and love of family.  

Gladys married Lonnie Lee Rice in 1951. Together, they raised six children in a home in Smithville, TX that was filled with an abundance of food, laughter and extended family and friends. No one ever left the Rice house hungry. Gladys was always busy in the kitchen with meals but more importantly, desserts.  Her sweet tooth is a prevalent family trait passed on to many.  

She also loved to garden and cultivated the most beautiful rose bushes.  Her pristine yard was home to both her beloved red birds and some pesky squirrels.  In addition to raising her family, she spent many hours volunteering at the church.  Gladys was also an avid seamstress and quilter; a hobby she continued her entire life having created too many beautiful quilts to count.

In their retirement years, Lonnie and Gladys enjoyed traveling the country in their RV in the pursuit of bluegrass music and exploring various lakes and parks.

Gladys is preceded in death by her husband Lonnie Rice, her parents, Sylvester and Alma Grohman and her brother Alvis Grohman.  She is survived by her six children: Catherine Monroe, Michael Rice, Larry Rice (wife Debbie), Daniel Rice (wife Carol), Carolyn Burdick (husband Mark) and Tommy Rice (wife Claudia); her 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and her sister Evelyn Hubble.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Joseph’s Regional Hospital in Bryan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital or the St. Paul Catholic Church building fund.

Gladys will be missed by all who knew and loved her - but we celebrate her life and rejoice in the knowledge that she is reunited with her Savior and her beloved husband. We know they are dancing together again at last.

Visitation & rosary will be held Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home.  The Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and the rosary will begin at 7:00pm.Funeral mass will be at 10:00am on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at St. Paul Catholic Church with burial following at Oak Hill Cemetery.