Mary L. Rice

Mary L. Rice, 93, of Washington passed away at 5:04pm Sunday, September 11, 2016 at Apostolic Christian Home-Eureka. She was born on July 5, 1923 in Edgar Springs, MO the daughter of Elmer and Mae O'Haver Lewis. She married Milton H. "Red" Rice on September 7, 1946 in Salem, MO. He passed away on May 21, 2007. Three brothers also preceded her in death. Surviving are her two children Milton (Beverly) Rice and one daughter Anna (the late Richard Fortson) all of Washington and one nephew Herman Michael (Judy) Lewis whom she helped raise. Also surviving are her grandchildren Ross (Phyllis) Fortson, Amanda (Nick) Donald, Aaron (Becky) Rice and Adam Rice. Further surviving are four great grandchildren, one brother Robert (Beverly) Lewis of Vichy, MO and one sister Betty (Don) Light of Newburg, MO. She was an honorably discharged U.S. Marine Corps Veteran serving during WWII. She worked at International Paper in Peoria for over 25 years retiring in 1984. She was a member of Washington Presbyterian Church where she served as an ordained elder. She served in Presbytery of Great Rivers in Peoria. She volunteered at the Central Illinois Agency on Aging and was a member of the Washington Garden Club. A time to celebrate Mary's life will be 1pm, Saturday September 24, 2016 at the Washington Presbyterian Church, 105 S. Elm St in Washington, IL. Pastor Rebecca Weltmann will officiate. Visitation will be from noon until 1pm also at the church. Burial of her remains will be in Beaver Cemetery in Phelps County (Rolla) MO at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be made to Washington Presbyterian Church. To share notes of condolences for the family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.