Alma Marie (Poole) Rice of Bradford, Arkansas, departed this life on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at the age of 82. She was born January 29, 1941, in the Oakland Hill Community of Bradford, the daughter of Albert “Al” and Thelma “Tooter” (Altom) Poole.
She was a graduate of Bradford High School. She worked in the fabric department of Walmart for 11 years but spent most of her years as a homemaker. Mrs. Rice enjoyed quilting, sewing, and working in the yard and with her flowerbeds. She especially loved spoiling her grandchildren.
She was a member of Blackland Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. She loved her church family and enjoyed attending services.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Meridith “Duke” Rice, Jr.; one son, Michael Wayne Rice; one daughter, Vicky Ann Cooper; and her parents.
She is survived by four daughters, Karen McSpadden and husband, David of Bradford, Rebecca Lambert and husband, Bill of Alexander, Shelly Meachum and husband, Jimmy of Judsonia, and Jodi Nash, who lived with her mom, taking wonderful care of her, and husband, Gerald of Bradford; eleven grandchildren, Whitney Humes, Rachel Reeves, Megan Griffith, D.J. McSpadden, Brandon Lambert, Ashley Barnes, Wesley Nash, Courtney Pierson, Austin Nash, Elizabeth Bush, Bridgett Nash, and Maynard Stipes; twenty great-grandchildren; three brothers, Johnny Poole of Bradford, Sherry Poole and wife Leona of Bald Knob, and Rex Poole and wife Denise of Pangburn; one sister, Sue Hyde of Bradford; many nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit the funeral home on Thursday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, at Blackland Chapel Free Will Baptist Church with Bro. Tony Bible and Bro. Stanley Vandergrift officiating. Interment will follow at Oakland Hill Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Wesley Nash, Austin Nash, Brandon Lambert, Kyle Pierson, Dwight Griffith, and Maynard Stipes. Honorary pallbearers are David McSpadden, Bill Lambert, Jimmy Meachum, and Gerald Nash.
