Betty W. Rice

Betty Wolfe Rice, 97, of Birmingham, AL passed away on September 7, 2024 after a long and fulfilling life. Betty was born in Arkadelphia, Alabama on April 23,1927 to David and Ida Wolfe. Betty was second to the youngest of 10 children living on a large working farm. After graduating from high school, Betty moved to Nashville, where she graduated from business college with a concentration in accounting. She went on to have a successful career in accounting and retired from the Jefferson County’s Treasurer’s Office. She was active in the LDS church, where she was always ready to provide service to others. She became a worker at the Atlanta and Washington temples. In her effort to see every US temple, she drove across country, which took her from one coast to the other. Her favorite church assignments involved working with the youth. While her church service to others was extensive, she carried that spirit to everyone around her. She was always ready to help, which included sitting with the sick, providing meals and doing whatever she was able to do. She married Preston C. Rice in 1955. Preston was a well-respected engineer at Southern Research Institute. In 1960 following the death of her sister, Margaret, Betty became the legal guardian to her nieces Diane and Elizabeth and raised and loved them as her own. Gardening was her passion, and this was reflected in her beautiful garden at home. Her friendships were life long and she outlived most of them. Although, even in old age she enjoyed forging new relationships. However, Betty’s greatest passion centered on her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She is survived by her sons, Michael (Hazel) and Marc (Sue), and her daughter, Elizabeth (Gene), son-in-law, David Bell, as well as 13 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents David and Ida Wolfe, 6 sisters, 3 brothers, her husband, Preston C. Rice and her beloved daughter Diane “Nanno”. A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 16 at 11:00 am at Gardendale Heritage Funeral Home located at 2214 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071. Family will greet visitors at 10:00 am, prior to the service. A graveside service will follow for the immediate family.

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Betty W. Rice

April 23, 1927 - September 7, 2024