August 6, 1935 - July 23, 2024
Velma Jean Rice was born to Horace and Lillie Gilstrap on August 6, 1935 in Olkmogee Oklahoma. She had 11 siblings; two boys who passed very young. 1 brother and 8 sisters who preceded her in death. Donald Gilstrap, Jean Wilson, Marie Harris, Bonnie Foster, Margaret Lloyd, Ellen Harrison,Judy Slover, and Ethyl McLain.
Velma married Lesley Earl Rice and raised a bunch of kids. Danny rice, Carol Murphy, Vicky Casey, Susan peoples, Leslie Tate(Tuti), Kay Leslie, Lisa Garma, Michael Jones. Danny, Vicky, and Carol preceded Velma in death. After Lesley passed in 1990, Velma raised two more children Travis nichols and Joshua Robertson with the help of her daughters.
Velma had a total of 16 grandchildren; Chris, Gina, Marissa, Nicholas, Josh, Daniel, Matthew, Chris, Joseph, Benjamin, Jennifer, Angie, Jamie,Julie Travis, and Josh. and 13 great grandchildren. Grandmas house was the place to be, playing with the cousins or hanging out with grandma. We always had a glass of sweet tea and a hug to brighten our day.
Velma loved her family very much and getting together was what she wanted to do every holiday. Velma was willing to help out anyone who needed it, she didn’t like anyone hungry.
We all will miss her terribly.
VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 12:00pm - 8:00pm on Sunday, August 4th, 2024 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
SERVICE
A service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, August 5th, 2024 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240. A reception will follow at the J. Charles Irwin Reception Center, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi, CA 95240.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Rice family.