Goldie E. (Thompson) Rice passed from this world into the arms of her Savior on April 2, 2016 in El Paso, TX after an unexpected, brief illness. Goldie was born as a very premature twin on May 16, 1926, in Bowie, AZ to James & Jessie (Croom) Thompson. The country doctor at that time informed the family that it was unlikely that she or her twin would make it through the night, however a determined grandmother nursed those babies and kept them in a low temperature wood cook stove all night and surprised the old doctor when he returned the next morning to find them both still very much alive and improving.
She was raised on the family ranch and learned the value of hard work at an early age. Goldie continued to reflect her perseverance as a true frontier/ranch woman of the West, a person who loved each day that the sun came up and to do her labor, a woman/wife of noble character and was a testimony of Proverbs 31:10 -31. She felt it was her duty to God and family and continued to amaze all those that knew her with her abilities and numerous talents. She could play the piano, the guitar and accordion all by ear and when younger, she and her sisters were known for their dancing skills, as well as her ability to sing. She was such a capable pioneer gal, who sewed all her own clothes and her husband's and son's western style shirts, built her own house, built her own beautiful rock fireplace and panned for her own gold. She was a talented artist; painting gorgeous china dishes and oil paintings. For dinner she could butcher her own beef, kill a chicken, milk her own cow, harvest all the fruits and vegetables needed from her garden and orchard and make delicious sourdough breads and cakes. She was a multi-talented woman who was not afraid to work hard creating a welcoming home for her family and friends. Goldie loved her family, her country, the United States Constitution, God and the Ten Commandments until the end; she was fierce patriot and godly woman.
Goldie married Lee Horace Rice in 1946 and celebrated over 62 years of often hard, lean but good years with her sweetheart, who predeceased her in 2008. She and Lee lived on their own family ranches in Arizona and New Mexico all their married years. Together they had 3 sons; Randall Lee Rice his wife, Jackie, Michael Glenn Rice and wife, Genell and James Austin Rice (deceased) and wife Elizabeth. She is also survived by 6 precious grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandbabies and by several special nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her twin sister, Opal McKinney Dunn and sister, Aileen Rose Runyan.
Goldie was soon to celebrate her big 90th birthday with family and friends but will be having the party of her life joining and rejoicing with her loved ones in heaven. Up until a few days before her death she continued to chop her own kindling, painting oil landscapes with her dear friend, Yvette Hurley, along with cooking, sewing and working in her yard. She was a vibrant, beautiful gal with spunk, tenacity, talents and a pioneer spirit that is hard to find in this day and age. She handled the rough, difficult times to the best of her ability (pulling herself up by the bootstraps when necessary) and was an inspiration to so many who admired and loved her. GǣAunt,Gǥ GǣGrandma,Gǥ GǣMom," and Gǣdear friend.Gǥ Goldie will be greatly missed and leaves big shoes to fill for all those who were blessed to have her in their lives.
We invite you to the celebration of life, which will be held on Saturday, May 14 at the Church of Latter Day Saints in Gila, NM at 10:00 AM.