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Marilyn Jean Rice, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away October 2, 2023, at age 75, surrounded by her family. Born March 10, 1948, in Greenville, she attended school there through her junior year. She attended Leon High School her senior year and graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1966.
During her time at Greenville, she met her high school sweetheart, Michael Ray Rice. They began their 55 year journey together June 24, 1965, raising their two children, Michael and Natasha.
Marilyn remembered swimming with many of her brothers and sisters every day of the summer down at Hickory Creek with a bar of Dove soap...why? "Because it was the only soap bar that would float!" She also told of picking cotton to make money to help the family. She even told stories of taking an egg to school from the family henhouse to trade for candy at the little shack of a store across from the Greenville school. And of course the job so many of the Peery kids had as they got older...working at the Marietta Cookie Factory along with their mother Edna aka Mema. Marilyn did go on later to earn a Bachelors in Home Economics from the University of Oklahoma in 1973.
After college, Marilyn, Mike and the kids traveled overseas because of Mike's job in the oil industry. Marilyn enjoyed traveling and learning about other cultures while they lived in England, Singapore, Borneo and Indonesia. She especially enjoyed learning to cook and eat exotic foods from the Orient, her favorite being a spicy Indian chicken curry dish. She also loved many cats and dogs they had over the years both at home and abroad. After many years overseas, the family returned home. Marilyn earned a Masters in Special Educations at East Central University and became a traveling special ed teacher across three rural counties. Mike and Marilyn bought a home and ranch south of Loone Grove, where they later enjoyed the peace of country living, raising cows, and walking the land. Meanwhile, Marilyn taught science and special ed at Lone Grove Schools. She also got her license as a realtor, working for several years before retiring to help Mike's parents build a new home. In her later years, watching the wild birds on the front porch became a favorite pastime.
One of the most precious moments in her life was the birth of her grandson Harlin Michael Peery Rice. She loved watching him grow up, singing in the Lone Grove High School choir and performing in the high school marching band. Marilyn always delighted in listening to grandson Harlin, a multitalented musician, play the piano, guitar, banjo, trumpet, and multiple other instruments. But she especially loved it when he practiced and played the piano. She was very proud of him continuing his education in the musical field.
Marilyn found her church home later in life after an invitation from her best friend Dana. There at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ardmore, she found her spiritual home with husband Mike, both eventually becoming baptized and coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. They found much comfort, joy and solace at St. Mary's.
Marilyn was sweet, kind, generous and good-hearted. She was preceded in death by her son Michael John Peery Rice; husband Mike Ray Rice; parents Kincheloe and Edna Peery; sister Wanda Parker (Pat); brother Richard Peery (Sue); nephew Greg Parker; and brother Kenneth Peery.
She will be deeply missed by those left to cherish her memory, including her daughter Natasha and partner Deborah; grandsons Harlin Rice and Braxton Bivins; brothers John Peery (Hollene) and Herschel "Bub" Peery (Brenda); sisters, Kay McGill (Denzil) and Patty Hendrix (Al); sister-in-law Edna Peery (Kenneth); and many extended family members and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, October 6 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Woodberry-Forest Cemetery, Madill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children's Shelter of Southern Oklahoma, Cross Timbers Hospice (with many thanks for their attention and care) or the Ardmore Animal Shelter.