Gloria Jean Rice, age 85, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born to the late John Curtis and Margaret Evelyn Kelley, Gloria, affectionately known as Jean, lived a life anchored by faith, family, and a deep devotion to her community. In 1963, she married her beloved husband, John Clark Rice Sr. Together, they shared 63 beautiful years of marriage, building a lifetime of memories, weathering life’s storms hand-in-hand, and creating a strong, loving foundation for their family.
Jean spent her life in service to others, both in her career and her personal life. Earlier in her career, she worked diligently in the local hospital’s administration office, bringing her organized and helpful nature to the healthcare field. She also shared her immense warmth and patience with generations of children through her career at Memorial Childcare in Freeport, Texas, bringing comfort and joy to countless young lives. A woman of deep faith, Jean was a dedicated and active member of First Christian Church in Lake Jackson, Texas, where she found great fellowship, friendship, and purpose.
One of Jean’s favorite pastimes was dancing with her husband at the VFW, where they enjoyed good music, good company, and many happy evenings together. They also loved traveling and exploring new places, creating countless special memories throughout their 63 years of marriage. These moments of dancing, traveling, laughter, and togetherness were some of the happiest chapters of Jean’s life and will be treasured by her family and all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret Kelley, and her beloved son, Jed Allen Rice.
Her legacy of love lives on through those left to cherish her memory: her devoted husband, John Clark Rice Sr.; her son, John Rice Jr. and his wife, Lacy, of Jones Creek, Texas; her granddaughter, Kirsten Rice of Houston, Texas; and her grandson, Cole Ewald and his wife, Kayla, of Richwood, Texas. She will also be lovingly remembered by her extended family and many dear friends.
A memorial service to celebrate Jean’s life will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Stroud Funeral Home, located at 538 North Brazosport Blvd., Clute, Texas 77511.
She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by all who were blessed to know and love her.