Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Ellen Rice, 87

Ellen Rice, 87, of Beebe, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 in Searcy. She was born on February 5, 1931, in Griffithville, Arkansas, to the late Thomas M. Lee Sr. and Nancy Carol Dew Lee.

She was a long time member of the Dogwood Methodist Church, in Griffithville. She enjoyed fishing, camping, and quilting but most of all loved being a babysitter.  She had a special love for children.  In 2018 she was named 2018 Valentine Queen at Beebe Retirement Center.

Ellen is survived by two sisters; Vera Worthern and Irene Badgley; a nephew Wayne Lee (Carolyn) of Cabot, two nieces Debbie Weaver and Nancy Worthern; she is also survived by seven other nephews and two more nieces as well as a host of friends and family.  

She was also preceded in death by her loving husband, William Clayton Rice and their infant son Randall Clayton Rice, a brother and a sister.

The family would like to thank the staff at Beebe Retirement Center for the loving care they showed to Ellen. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 11that 9:00 A.M. at Dogwood United Methodist Church in Griffithville. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 A.M. at the church with interment to follow at Dogwood Cemetery. 

Arrangements are under the direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.   

10 Comments

  • Chris Collinsworth Posted January 9, 2019 2:05 PM

    Absolutely one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was a blessing to everyone she knew.

  • Cookie jackson Posted January 9, 2019 2:27 PM

    Love her

  • Stacy Crotts Duncan Posted January 9, 2019 2:49 PM

    Ellen was such a special person to my family and a very close friend of my mother, Betty Jo Crotts. I know my momma was there in heaven to greet her. All my love.

  • VaLynn Mills Posted January 9, 2019 4:19 PM

    Ms. Rice was the sweetest Queen and always had a kind word and beautiful smile. I will miss my little friend.

  • Joan Strayhorn Posted January 9, 2019 4:54 PM

    I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Rice. I enjoyed visiting with her at Beebe Retirement Center. Just on Sunday night, she was so happy about having her friend Linda as her new roommate. Prayers for her family and friends.

  • Deborah Moore Posted January 9, 2019 10:16 PM

    Mrs Rice was a very sweet lady. When I would see her she would say hi and talk for awhile. Sweet, sweet lady

  • June Tripp Posted January 10, 2019 11:50 AM

    Me. Ellen was the best pie maker. Loved her lemon icebox pies. Boyd and I will miss her sweet smile and warm heart.

  • Jessica Snelson Posted January 10, 2019 6:38 PM

    Mrs. Ellen always had a smile and loved us all. She was so happy to know my kids were always waiting on the next pie she would bring to our Snelson day on the 4th Sunday. She was loved the first moment we met. She will be missed so much.

  • Keith Feather Posted January 11, 2019 9:07 AM

    Griffithville has lost a precious Gem. Ellen was one of the nicest and sweetest people to grace our presence. She babysat so many in the community including myself and our boys. She had a special love for children. She will be truely missed.

  • Jim Collinsworth Posted January 11, 2019 3:33 PM

    Ellen was the most loving and amazing lady! She loved children like no other. She helped raise me and my children! Heaven will be that much sweeter when we meet again!!!

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