Madelyn Williams Rice

Memorial Services will be held at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 in Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Madelyn Williams Rice, 71, who passed away on January 5, 2023. Her son-in-law, Chap Gary, Worship Pastor of The Open Door Church, will conduct the funeral services. Madelyn, a resident of Lafayette, was the daughter of the late James Williams and the former Marguerite Clark. Born and raised in New Iberia, Madelyn graduated from NISH in 1969. She then attended LA Tech & USL, but graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from USL in 1973. Madelyn taught in Lafayette Parish School System for a few years before leaving the education system to raise her family. She was very active in the Catholic Church and her community, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteering with the Friends of the Library. Madelyn loved traveling with her family across the United States, especially the Smokey Mountains. She also loved spending time at her fishing camp, "Always Something", watching shrimp boats, pelicans, and her Purple Martins. Madelyn was an excellent listener with a profound memory for people, names, and dates. She used this incredible gift to faithfully pray for her family, friends, and anyone in need; she was a true Prayer Warrior. In all her doing, Madelyn established a legacy of faithful devotion to her family. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Randy Rice; daughters, Lauren Rice Gary (Chap) and Katherine "Katy" Rice Bunker (Michael); son, Charles "Charlie" Thomas Rice, Sr. (Elissa); grandchildren, Peyton Perero, Nathanael Bunker, Canaan Gary, Ruth Gary, Madison Bunker, Sarah Bunker, Grace Gary, Reuben Bunker, Eli Bunker, Lydia Bunker, Charlie T. Rice Jr, Vivienne Rice, and Jamen Bunker; sisters, Susan Williams Fitzpatrick and Janet Williams Breard (Herbert); and brother, Michael "Mike" Williams (Patty). She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Marguerite Williams; sister, Penny Williams Seidelhuber; and brother, James "Jimmy" N. Williams, Jr. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 from 10:00 AM until the time of service. The family would like to thank her caregivers, Charlene Watson, Cheryl Stelly, and Jessica Gallier, for their compassionate care during Madelyn's time of need. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made, in Madelyn's memory, to build a church in Mexico at: http://www.mxoutreach.org/contribute?mibextid=Zxz2cZ Please write "Rice Church Project" in memo, whether paying electronically, or with a check. If paying electronically, select the "Construction Project - Church" option. Personal condolences may be sent to the Rice family at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Madelyn Williams Rice and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. January 2023

Madelyn Williams Rice

June 30, 1951 - January 5, 2023