By Eagle Newswire
A farewell homegoing service was held for Troy Homer Rice on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Metropolitan Baptist Church (The Met), 1228 West Apache Street, in Tulsa, Okla., Dr. Ray A. Owens officiated.
Rice was born October 5, 1933 in Tulsa, Okla. to Homer T. Rice and Louise Millet Rice. He was the second child born to this union. Rice grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School (BTW) in 1951. In 1952, Rice married his high school sweetheart, Mable Rogers. To this union three daughters, Karen, Denise and Gina were born. Rice was a family man and spent his life providing for them.
Throughout the years, Rice was employed by Tulsa Country Club, F & M Bank, Braden Steele and Optimus Corporation. A dedicated work ethic led to a lifelong friendship with the Harold Lewis family. Rice’s pastimes were filled with BTW football games, viewing Professional Golf Association (PGA) events, and as Mable always said watching “anything with a ball.” He also enjoyed listening to the sounds of blues, R&B and jazz.
Rice devoted his life to fulfilling the wishes and desires of his wife, Mable. She was his support and partner throughout their sixty-four years of marriage. He did his best to grant her every wish, no matter how small or large. Rice’s mission was “to make it happen.” The road between Lansing Place and St. Simeon’s was a well-worn path.
In Rice’s later years, he joined The Met. His daughters and their families soon followed. Rice enjoyed father-son bonds with his sons-in-law, Bobby and Chris. Through the years, the entire family has enjoyed numerous Oklahoma University football and basketball games, cookouts, and family road trips. Rice’s grandchildren were his source of pride and joy. When they were born, he said, “finally, I have some boys.” Rice was blessed with three grandsons and three great-grandchildren.
Rice was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barbara Bowen. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Mable; daughters, Karen Anthony, Denise (Bobby) Woodard, and Gina (Chris) Jenkins; three grandsons, Brian Woodard, Eric Woodard and Blake Jenkins; three great-grandchildren, Isabella, Ava and Brison; close friends, Charles Turner, Ronnie Mims, Ray Shambra and a loyal caregiver Tina Cole. Rice also leaves a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
