Sara Virgene Rice

Sara Virgene Rice, of Bryan, went to be with our Savior and Lord on May 26, 2009, after a lengthy illness. A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at First Baptist Church of Bryan. Brother Tim Owens will officiate.
Sara was born and raised in Canyon, Texas where she received her BS degree in Teacher Education from West Texas State University in 1969. She became an ardent Aggie while earning a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A-M University, class of 1977.

She joined, served and later became President of the Aggie Moms and was still an active member of the Aggie Moms Past Presidents. Being an Aggie Mom was one of the many delights in her life. Sara was a natural teacher. She taught at many different scholastic levels, including elementary and secondary school and also at Blinn College. She also taught English at Texas A-M University.

Sara moved to Bryan with her husband Don and their three children from Columbia, Missouri in 1969. The children were in elementary school so she soon went to work as Girl Scout Leader, cookie baker and PTO member. She had a deep and abiding love for the Lord Jesus Christ as well as for the First Baptist Church of Bryan where she and Don were members for 40 years.

She taught a bible study class for 8th grade girls; then she and Don taught young married adults for over 20 years, before beginning a ministry to senior adults. She was an active member of the Sanctuary choir and also sang in the Living Christmas Tree. She was loved for her upbeat spirit and a good sense of humor; she could laugh at herself as well as with others.

Sara loved this community. She was active in many civic organizations; she was a member and later President of Texas A-M Women’s Club and was a member of The Woman’s Club in Bryan where she served in numerous capacities. She also loved volunteer work including The Crestview Retirement Center gift shop and the First Baptist Church office. Sara will best be remembered for being a loving, caring, sharing person who had a sweet smile and a generous heart.

Sara’s second community love was Colorado where she participated in skiing, biking, hiking and sight seeing. She especially loved traveling with her 9 grandchildren and participating with them in all these activities. When not doing that, she loved to travel; she visited all 50 states and much of Canada, Mexico and most of Europe.

Sara was preceded in death by her parents Ray Neal Slagle, of Canyon and Elizabeth Anne Slagle Keehner, of Canyon, Tucson and Bryan, and her sister Bettie Slagle Davis, of Canyon and her eldest grandson, Christopher Michael Welch, of Burleson, Texas.

Survivors include her husband, Don Rice, three children and their spouses, Rhonda Rice Welch Humphreys and her husband Terry, of San Antonio, Dan L. Rice and his wife Julie, of The Woodlands and Dawna Rice Rosenkranz her husband Bubba, of Bryan; eight grand children, Joshua Welch his wife Amy, Mitzy Welch, wife of Christopher Welch (deceased), Clayton, Kristin and Colton Rosenkranz, Aaron (Aggie ’13), Aarika and Aarianna Rice, Riley Humphreys and five great-grand children Tyler, JT and Abigail Welch, Sara (Sara’s namesake) and Jacob Welch (children of Christopher Welch). Sara Rice is also survived by her brother Perry Neal Slagle and his wife Loretta, of Bryan and their daughter and husband, Melissa and Gavin Gant, and their two children, Faith and Kaitlyn of Huntsville, Texas.

Condolences

  1. Elmer – Canyon High Class of 1955
    Johnnette – CHS Class of 1956

  2. Mr. Rice and Family,
    My heart goes out to you and your family for Mrs. Sara.
    Mrs. Sara and all of us are God’s children here on Earth and up above, she walks close to God, surrounded by His Love.
    May the beautiful memories of Sara bring You, Family and Friends…. Comfort in the days ahead.
    My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Debra Schmulbach (Rhonda’s Friend)

  3. I am so sorry for your loss. I went to school with Sara in Canyon. She was a true friend. Much love to all of you.
    Jo Ann Prichard Vandiver
    Amarillo, Texas

  4. Rhonda and all of the Rice family members—-

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of your loss and please know that the happy memories that you have of Sara will help all of you get through this very difficult time.

  5. Dear Don and family,
    We sere so sorry to hear of your loss. I have known Sara for many years and always thought she was a wonderful person. You have my deepest sympathy. Billie Gray

  6. Dear Don and family, We were so sorry to read of Sara’s death on the 26th of this month and wish to extend our deepest sympathy to you and yours. Although we haven’t been in touch lately, she will be remembered with many fond memories.We are terribly sorry not to be able to attend her memorial service on Saturday due to a previous committment that must be met. May our Heavenly Father’s choicest blessings comfort and strengthen you now and always. Sincerely Daryle and JoAn Morgan

  7. Don, please accept Harry’s and my most sincere sympathy. I admired Sara so and always wanted to get to know her better. Blessings to you and your family,
    Nelda Green–for both of us

  8. Don, Sarah and you put up a great fight with dighty, courage and dedication. Regardless of what or how much we do, it seems some fights are just not meant to be won. We all share in your loss and take comfort in God’s promise of eternal life. We thank God for Sarah’s life and for you and your family. Togather in Christ’s love.
    Dorothy and Jim Mallett

  9. Dear Dan, Julie, Dawna and family members,
    I was so saddened when I heard about your mom. Although I never had the honor of knowing her, I knew what a very special and wonderful woman she was by all of the kind and admiring things that was said about her, especially from you, Julie. My mother shared with me how she loved knowing her through church. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
    With love,
    Shelley Emshoff Smith

  10. To express our deep sympathy to you on your loss. We thank Mrs. Sara for her many contributions to the citizens of Bryan-College Station. You will be missed. We thank your brother for serving our country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era. May God’s Speed Be With This Family.
    cjo

  11. We are so saddened by your loss. Sara was a beautiful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

  12. Dear Don and Sara, Children and Grandchildren,
    We are praying for all of you as Sara is being laid to rest at the First Baptist Church in Bryan.. We believe that she is in a very happy place now.
    We are sending a monetary gift to the churches building fund in honor of Sara. Her history of Christian service is awesome.
    Love,
    J and Margaret

  13. As a friend of Rhonda, I got to know Sara on her trip to Switzerland. Rhonda and I were working in Zurich and Sara was visiting. We took a few sightseeing excursions and Sara kept up with the ‘younger’ girls. She was easy to be around and contributed to the fun.

    I know Rhonda will miss her. The love of the Lord will comfort those who knew and loved Sara.
    We trust in the Lord.
    Judie

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