Pauline Rice, 95, died at Kyrie Assisted Living in Ada, OK, on Friday, August 7, 2026. Pauline was born July 6, 1931, to Orvil and Eva Huckleberry in Vamoosa, Oklahoma.

Pauline grew up around Vamoosa and left Vamoosa High School to marry her sweetheart, M.E.(Hoot) Rice, November 6, 1948, in Konawa, OK. After serving with the military for a time and living on a military base, Hoot started oilfield work, and they lived around south central Oklahoma for a few years. They were living in the Fittstown area and raising their family when Pauline returned to high school at McLish High School in Fittstown to earn her diploma in 1960. Then she attended East Central University in Ada and studied Interior Design.

Before she could finish her degree, Hoot was transferred with his work to Ardmore, OK. Pauline loved being a homemaker, but while in Ardmore, she worked at Sears as a bookkeeper. She also volunteered for the League of Women Voters and later, started a pre-school in her home. She loved the "littles" and was a teacher at heart.

In 1973, the family moved to Midland, TX for two years and then to Corsicana where Pauline enjoyed swimming and gardening. She returned to work for a few years at the YMCA.

When they retired, Pauline and Hoot moved to Cedar Creek Lake, TX. Pauline was an expert gardener and won many awards for her lovely landscaping and beautiful azaleas, hydrangeas, and bromelaids around their home.

In 2010, they returned to Ada, and Pauline continued her gardening with roses and crepe myrtles. Pauline loved Jesus. She and Hoot were members of the Southwest Church of Christ in Ada for many years. They celebrated 75 years of marriage before Hoot passed in 2024. Hoot always called her, "My beautiful girl!"

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hoot; daughter, Rhonda Hickman; baby brother, L.B. Huckleberry; sister, Evalyn Herring; nephew, Rex Herring; niece, Paula Herring; grandson, Joshua Stewart; and great granddaughter, Addalyn Voigt.

Survivors include her son, Larry Rice (Sally); daughters, Barbara Voigt (James, Sr.) and Theresa Smith (Brent); son-in-law, Jay Hickman; grandchildren, William York, Annette Vessecchia (Gary), Jacob Bass (Emily), Rachel Hickman, Ben Hickman, Caleb Stewart, Matthew Smith (Veronica), Magan Smith, Gretchen Bratton (Alan), Brandon Rice (Amber), James Voigt, Jr. (Kim), Brad Voigt (Melissa), Nathan Voigt; 19 great grandchildren; one great, great grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

Family visitation will be Friday, August 14, 5-7 p.m. at Criswell Funeral Home, Ada, OK. A memorial service will be held at graveside in Vamoosa Cemetery Saturday, August 15 at 10 a.m.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorials can be made to donorservices.Alzheimer's Association or michaeljfox.org.