Brenda Ruth (Martin) Rice 1951-2005

Brenda Ruth Martin Rice, daughter of the late Noel Mack and Evelyn Anita (Barlow) Martin, was born November 10, 1951 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Brenda attended school in the Waynesville R-VI School District from Kindergarten until her junior year in high school. She then obtained her GED. As a young girl, Brenda was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Waynesville.

On September 4, 1982, Brenda was united in marriage to Gary Ray Rice at the Waynesville First Baptist Church.

Brenda worked most of her adult life as a cook at the Missouri Department of Corrections. She also drove buses for the Waynesville Local Lines a short time and was also at times a waitress. The thing she enjoyed doing the most was being a mother. She loved the times that she could spend with her three sons, her grandchildren and helping take care of her mother. In her spare time, Brenda enjoyed doing some arts and crafts projects and she loved to play bingo. She was a member of the Waynesville/St. Robert Optimist club for three years.

Brenda passed away the evening of Thursday, May 26, 2005 in the Sunset Village of the Ozarks of St. Robert, Missouri at the age of 53 years, 6 months and 16 days.

Brenda will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by her three sons: Travis Martin and his wife, Unica of Brentwood, CA, Mike Abney and his wife, Jennifer of Louisville, KY and Shaun Stewart of Waynesville, MO; one step-son: John Rice; two brothers: Harold Martin and James Martin, both of Waynesville, MO; two sisters: Judy Brown of Crocker, MO and Patricia Stankiewicz of Arlington Heights, IL; four grandchildren: Katreena, Amaris and Kiara Martin and Christina Abney; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 31, 2005 in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Dr. Dennis Crowder officiating. Brenda's son, Travis, gave a beautiful eulogy of his mother. The songs "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye" and "The Dance" were played. Serving as escorts were family and friends.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel.