Rice, Barbara Ann Coats was born April 18, 1940, in Dunn, North Carolina and died January 30, 2022, in Katy, Texas.
A thirty-four-year resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, Barbara considered Knoxville her home even after moving to Texas in 2013. One of her favorite past-times was reading. While living in Knoxville, she was able to fulfill a lifetime dream to educate children through literature by becoming the Librarian at Thackston School. She was both humbled and honored when upon her retirement, they renamed the library the Thackston School Rice Library and the City of Knoxville declared May 6, 2002, Barbara Rice Day.
Barbara, also known as “Bobby” or “Bobby Ann” was a true Southern Woman. She loved her husband and family, and her life was centered around both. She was an avid gardener, creating “GG’s Garden” in the lots across from their home where her plants were dedicated to each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. It became a beautiful garden park that the neighborhood enjoyed.
She also loved camping and fishing, never afraid to bait her own hook and her family has many fond memories of the camping trips they shared. She loved birds and animals, adopting many a stray that crossed her path. Traveling was also a favorite activity, especially trips to the beach, to Scotland with family or North Carolina to visit her siblings.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Knoxville and upon moving to Texas became a member of the Katy First United Methodist Church. Over the years, she was active in both churches through the United Methodist Women’s group.
Preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of almost 34 years Monford C. (Monte) Rice, her infant son David Vickers, her parents Stewart and Esther Coats, and her siblings Duncan, Judy, Jerry, and Jackie Coats.
Survived by one sister, Sarah Elizabeth (Becky) Bland; nine children, Sharon (Randy) Haydon, Ronald (Michele) Callis, Tracy (Teresa) Callis, Bradley Callis, Mark (Karen) Rice, Catherine (Frederic) Smith, Monte (Beth) Rice, Lynn (Bill) Pitt, and Tonya “Toni” Rice; as well as twenty grandchildren, “GG” to fourteen great grandchildren, and Aunt Bobby to numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; all of whom she loved dearly.
A receiving of friends for Barbara will be held Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. A funeral service will occur Friday, February 11, 2022 at 10:30 AM, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. Family and friends will immediately proceed to East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920, for a 12:30 PM interment following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, "Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400 McLean, VA 22102."
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Rice family.