Hazel Mae “Pat” Rice, age 72, of Nashville, died Monday morning, February 27 in the Columbus Regional Hospital. Born January 23, 1940 in Brown County, she was the daughter of James Marion “Bud” and Dora (Mathis) Lucas. She was a homemaker and later served as a cook for the Brown County Sheriff’s Department. She loved to crochet and grow flowers in her garden.
She is survived by her four daughters; Annabelle (Bob) Melton, of Brown County, Rose Rice, of Nashville, Tammy Rice, of Indianapolis and Patty (Rob) O’Neill, of Freetown; one son, Randy Rice, of Nashville, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Nell Petro, of Edinburgh, Dolly Matlock and Betty Hardin, both of Nashville, and one brother, Ken Lucas, of Nashville. She was preceded in death by her father, her mother, Dora (Mathis) Lucas Bingham, her husband, Dr. William Blake Rice; three sisters: Norma Petro, Linda Bingham and Molly Woods, one step-son, Vaughn Rice and one brother in infancy, Edward Lucas.
Family graveside services will be held on Friday at 2:00 at the Reeves Cemetery. There will be no calling hours prior to the service.
