Marilyn Rice

Born in Anniston, AL on June 23, 1932

Departed on December 30, 2016 and resided in Boston, MA

Marilyn Brittain Rice, age 84, passed away in Boston, MA. on December 30, 2016.
A 40-year resident of Nashville, Marilyn grew up in Anniston, AL. She was active in many high school clubs and was voted most likely to succeed. She was involved in theater and service clubs, the National Honor Society, and the Parker Memorial Baptist Church. She attended Vanderbilt University for one year before transferring to Birmingham Southern College where she graduated.

She was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, stepmother, and friend. Known for her beautiful smile and warm interest in people, Marilyn was always interested in emotional, physical, and spiritual health and improvement. Throughout her life, she was a spiritual seeker.

Marilyn raised her three children before returning to graduate school. She worked for the Nashville Public Library system for 26 years after earning her master's in library science from Peabody College in 1971. She was the head librarian of the Bellevue branch library from its founding in 1984 until her retirement in 1997.

After retiring, she served the Bellevue United Methodist Church on several committees, and took part in its women's, bible, and theological study groups. She volunteered at Nashville's ALIVE Hospice. She supported others in the community, always striving to live out her Christian beliefs, accepting and helping others.

She cared for her husband Richard "Tip" Rice, until his death in November 2007. She was a dedicated step-mother to his five children and his grand-children. Tip and Marilyn were married for 31 years. After Tip's death, she moved to Boston be closer to family.

Preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Irving, and her stepdaughter Patricia Phipps,
she is survived by her children and their spouses: Frank Ogletree and Marie-Paule Delplancke Ogletree of Kensington, CA; Julie Ogletree and Lois Brebant Hayes of Boston, MA; and Lauren Ogletree Reitter and Mark Reitter of West Belmar, NJ; her grandchildren: Nora Hayes, Micah Hayes, James Bernick, Rachel Bernick, Zachary Reitter and Alex Reitter; stepchildren: Richard Hauser Rice III and Malissa Rice of Franklin, TN, Philip Rice and Laurel Rice of Sun Prairie, WI, Deborah Rice of Bellevue, TN, and Stephanie Rice of Sanford, FL; six step-grandchildren and eight step great-grandchildren.

Her family will hold visitation from 12:00 - 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Pavilion at Harpeth Hills, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow in Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. A reception will follow the burial.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Alive Hospice of Nashville, TN at ALIVE.org, Bellevue United Methodist Church at BUMC.com or the Alzheimer's Association at ALZ.org.