Stephenie Rich Rice

GEORGETOWN — Stephenie Rich Rice, beloved daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on November 22, 2024 in Georgetown, TX after a long illness. Stephenie Luella Rich was born to Howard Herbert Rich and Vivian Williams Rich in Los Angeles on October 31, 1933. Her family soon moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where Stephenie spent her childhood, she was a young athlete excelling at swimming and golf. Stephenie attended high school at The Potter School in Tucson, Arizona, and was graduated from Michigan State University, where she was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. She taught first grade in Battle Creek, where she was a member of the Battle Creek Junior League before setting her sights on California where she moved in 1957.

Stephenie married Cone Carroll Rice Jr. in 1959, moving with her Navy Lieutenant husband back to Battle Creek when he deployed, eventually settling in Tyler, Texas where she and Cone raised their five children. Stephenie joined the Junior League of Tyler and was a member of the women’s guild at Christ Episcopal Church. She taught elementary school over the years at St. Andrew’s, Rose Garden Academy, and the Carder School. Stephenie and Cone were members of Briarwood Country Club and the Tyler Petroleum Club.

Stephenie and Cone moved their family to Emerald Bay in Bullard, Tx in 1974. Stephenie continued her life long love of golf, while raising a family. She was an active member of the Emerald Bay Ladies Golf Association, serving as President and occasionally club champion. In 2000, Stephenie moved to Sun City in Georgetown, Tx. Stephenie was an avid golfer, bridge player and an active member of the Solo’s group. She travelled extensively, visiting China, Europe, Africa, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand and Russia. Some of her favorite trips were river cruises in exotic locales throughout the world.

Stephenie was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Vivian Rich, her brother Herbert Rich, sister Helen Rich Arnold of Greene, Rhode Island and her son, Stephen Howard Rice of Austin, Texas.

She is survived by her sister Susan Rich White, her brothers-in-law Craig White of Holland, Michigan and Henry Arnold of Greene, RI. Her son Cone Carroll Rice III (Chip), his wife Lori Clements Rice of Eastland, daughter Maxine Rice Conner (Dede), her husband JC Conner of Georgetown, daughter Margaret Rice Vondra, her husband Patrick Vondra of Ft. Worth, and daughter Vivian Rice Fowler, her husband James Fowler of Dallas. Stephenie had nine grandchildren, Cortney Rice, Howard Rich Rice, Amy Rice Martinez (husband Ian), Patrick Vondra (wife Sarah), George Vondra, Maddie Vondra Boswell (husband James), Sarah Fowler, Stephenie Fowler and Henry Fowler. She also had four great grandchildren, Bethany Vondra, Heather Vondra, Jack Vondra and Thomas Stephen Boswell. Additionally Stephenie had a niece and a nephew, Stephen Arnold of Rhode Island, and Nancy Arnold Hartsig (husband Rich) as well as two great nephews and a niece.

The family wishes to give special thanks for the many people who cared for Stephenie the last few years, especially Amanda Herndon and the staff and friends at The Delaney.