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1920-2023
CALCUTTA - Charlene Mae Rowley Rice, 103, of Calcutta passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, at Crossroads at Beaver Creek.
Charlene was born July 10, 1920, on the Rowley Family Farm Steubenville Pike Road, Lisbon, Ohio. She was the daughter of Cyrus Alexander and Mabel Benner Rowley. She attended Forest Hill one room schoolhouse and was a graduate of Lisbon High School Class of 1938. Charlene held a dual membership at both Anderson/Good Shepherd UMC and Bethel Presbyterian Church, being the oldest member on their rosters.
When she married Walter, she helped on the Rice family farm raising chickens and selling the eggs to help with the family finances. She also worked at driving school bus, a substitute cook at Southern Local School, and secretary and tour guide for Kelvington/Young Bus Tours - which she enjoyed immensely working and meeting new people and traveling to see the USA with new found friends.
Charlene was a member of the Wayne Township and Beaver Local Homemakers for over 60 years and had been recognized as a long-standing member. She belonged to the Heritage Quilt Club - quilting a quilt about every winter until she was past 95. She held a membership in the Wayne Township Grange, and was a Wayne Township poll worker faithfully until the family moved to Calcutta. She was an active member of the Anderson UMC Women's Group and an Anderson UMC trustee. She became secretary of her high school class reunions when her good friend Katherine Polite passed away. She was extremely proud of her flower gardens up to the end, which she shared with anyone sick, her church, neighbors and family.
She is survived by her daughter, Arlene J. Rice-Obertance of East Liverpool; her baby sister, Shirley A. Thompson of Gavers; a grandson, Thomas Curtis Rice of Columbus; nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
Preceding Charlene in death were her husband, Walter Ellsworth Rice in 1990, whom she married June 28, 1938; a son, W. Allen Rice in 1985; grandson, Bryan A. Rice in 2007; son-in-law, Joseph M. Obertance Jr. in 2003; and sisters Lucille E. Chestnut in 2006, Janet E. Hays in 2012 and Evelyn June in 1924.
Thank you to Dr. Mark Evans, Nurse D'Lorah, Dr. Jennifer Lloyd, Nurse Kelly, Ohio Valley Home Health, EL Hospital ER, Dr. Payne, EL Hospital Nurses on 4th and 5th Floor, Lifeteam and North Star Ambulances, Calcutta Health Care, Pastor Dick Smith, Dr. Hott and Nurse Laura, Cross Roads at Beaver Creek, Nurses Nellie, Ashley, Cara, Rebecca, Erica, Charlie; True North workers Josh, Pam, Tabbie, Rona, Jean, Heidi, Hannah; Chaplin Paul, the staff of Crossroads have all been wonderful, Akeso Hospice - Rachael Ketchum, Rachael M. and Kaitlyn, Nenia (eyeglasses), Kathy Stewart, everyone who helped to keep her in her home. Her special neighbors and friends Paul and Phyllis Taylor and Sue, adopted son Ryan and Shannon, Hayden and Sidney Higgins, Jim Laughlin, Don and Ruby Heldman and her church family. For all who followed Mom's Adventures on FaceBook, thank you for all your love and prayers. There are so many to thank and I'm sorry if I missed anyone!
A big thank you to the St. Clair Township trustees, St. Clair Township police, St. Clair and Glenmoor fire departments, family and friends who helped Mom celebrate her 100th birthday July 10, 2020, which we were grateful to everyone especially during the break from the COVID-19 quarantine.
A big thank you to all Mom's family, friends and Mrs. O's "Kids" for the 103rd birthday cards she received. She had four great days celebrating her birthday!
Friends may visit the Martin Chapel of the Care Funeral and Cremation Specialist in Calcutta from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. Pastor Dick Smith, former pastor of Good Shepherd UMC, will conduct the service at the funeral home Saturday, Aug. 12, at noon, where the family will be present one hour before the service. Mrs. Rice will be laid to rest in the Bethel Church Cemetery. Please wear bright or flowery attire in mom's memory of her and her flowers.
Mom was blessed with many good, caring neighbors, friends and church family that loved her throughout her life.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers to please donate to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 16521 Steubenville Pike Road, Salineville, OH 43945; Good Shepherd UMC, 49238 Calcutta Smith Ferry Road, Calcutta, OH 43920; or your favorite organization.
8/10/23