Charlene Rice


Charlene Rice

Charlene Westphal Rice, 89, of Poteet, Texas passed away on January 8, 2018 from a long battle with her health surrounded by her beloved family. Charlene is survived by her husband of 68 years, Joe Rice, who was always by her side and two daughters, Caron Tuttle and Dana Scott, and three granddaughters, Lauren Quincey, Erinn Walker, and Connie Prinzle.

Charlene owned and operated a furniture store with her husband for six decades where they received many accolades, including awards and recognition in three national magazines showcasing the success of their business. However, Charlene’s passion was in the arts. After graduating from Lee College and Delmar, she began depicting her inspirations in oil paintings. In 1989 a ruptured brain aneurysm left Charlene unable to write, talk or walk. After two years and a miraculous recovery, she pledged a vow to write. Charlene became an accomplished author who wrote seven books of short stories and one of poetry. She was a member of the Atascosa Writers Guild and regularly met with poets and writers across Texas.

Anyone familiar with her work would agree with her friend Jim Dawes, “Reading Charlene’s stories is like peeking into her life and her mind. She finds humor in some things that most people would think tragic. Laughter is her dose for the reader every time.”

While some of Charlene’s stories were featured in national publications, her books haven’t made it to print. In their last month’s together, Lauren promised her grandmother she would finish what was started. While it will take some time to publish the books, family, friends, and admirers can enjoy Charlene’s work at withunsaidlove.blogspot.com.

An informal visitation will be on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 10 a.m. until noon at Hurley Funeral Home, 118 W. Oaklawn Road in Pleasanton, Texas.

“Real love is looking over everything and straight into the heart.”  – Charlene M. Rice.

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