Mary Marie Rice

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Mary Marie Rice, 102, formerly of Du Quoin, passed away at 7:15 A.M., Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at the Lewis Memorial Christian Village at Springfield, IL.

Mary was a homemaker and had worked as a cafeteria server at the Jr. Highschool in Granite City. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Du Quoin. She loved to play pinochle.

She was born August 3, 1906 at Christopher, IL, the daughter of Melvin S. and Vesta P. (Teffertiller) Furlow.

She married Theodore K. Rice on August 2, 1924 at Nashville, IL and he passed away in August of 1967.

She and her husband and family moved to Du Quoin where they made their home for several years. They later moved to Granite City, IL. Following the death of her husband, Mary moved back to Du Quoin. In later years she entered the nursing home in Du Quoin. Following the death of her son Neil, she transferred to the Lewis Memorial Nursing Home in Springfield where her daughter, Yvonne lived and could take care of her.

She is survived by two daughters- Yvonne I. Sapp and husband William Jr. of Springfield, Cheryl L. Benson and husband Jerry of Lone Grove, OK, son- Carl W. Rice of Houston, TX, ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son- Neil Rice, one brother and one sister.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Bro. Jerry Aken officiating.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 P.M., Friday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the Masonic and IOOF Cemetery at Benton.

Friends may make memorials to the First Christian Church of Du Quoin and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.