Charlotte Rice

Charlotte Rice recently passed away surrounded by family at her daughter’s home in Twin Bridges, MT. She was born in Burbank, CA January 15, 1929 to Edward Clyde Lewis and Florence Eva Wycoff Lewis. She attended school in her home state of California. Charlotte met her future husband, Melvin Rice, while he was playing with the USS Alabama Dance Band in Long Beach, CA in 1948. Charlotte and her friends frequented the Army/Navy Y to dance with the soldiers. For Charlotte and Mel, it was love at first sight. Mel returned to Montana and the couple lost touch for a period of time, until Charlotte sent a birthday card to Mel and he responded with a marriage proposal. They were married January 9, 1949 in Long Beach, CA. The couple returned to Mel’s home in Missoula where they lived for 68 years and raised four children, Charmel, Melvin, Debra, and Mark. Charlotte was employed at Community Hospital in Missoula and retired in 1991 after 27 years of service. Charlotte and Mel were long-time members of the First Presbyterian Church in Missoula throughout their married life. They were active in the choir, served as elders, and served on several committees over the years. They were also lifetime members of the Orchard Homes Country Life Club. Charlotte always put family first and loved attending activities of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also dearly loved her cat Farley, who was a wonderful companion for many years. Charlotte and Mel loved camping, fishing, and playing various card games with family and friends. After their retirement the couple traveled worldwide. She had a great sense of humor that she kept until her passing. Her facial expressions, comments and gestures were a source of constant amusement t for family and friends throughout her life. Charlotte is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter (Charmel Rice Reesor) and two sisters. She is survived by three children; son Mel Rice (Sandy) of Dillon, MT; daughter Debra Bradley (Beau) of Sheridan, MT; son Mark Rice (Margaret) of Ridgefield, WA; and son-in-law Steve Reesor (Charmel, deceased) of Lewistown, MT. She is survived by 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren and extended family. A service and celebration of Charlotte’s life will be scheduled at a later date at Frist Presbyterian Church of Missoula, MT