Melba Lynette Rice
February 12, 1928 — December 23, 2014
Melba Lynette Rice was born in South Dakota on February 12, 1928 and entered into eternal rest in Montebello, California on December 23, 2014 from complications of cancer. She was 86 years of age.
From an early age, Melba suffered with asthma. Her parents decided to move to the state of Washington in hopes that her asthma would improve, but it did not. They ultimately settled in East Los Angeles California. She graduated from Montebello High School in 1946 and attended East Los Angeles College. She worked for the phone company and also as a clerk for Budget Finance. She met and married Raymond Rice on February 13, 1948. She continued to work until she had her first baby and then became a housewife. They moved to her present home in Montebello in 1961. She was an active member of the PTA for a number of years. She was very involved in the Walking Program at the Montebello Town Center where she also amassed a large group of friends. She was very personable and made friends wherever she went. She loved animals and supported the Humane Society as well as the Disabled American Veterans. To sum up her life, I would have to say “always a friend.”
She is survived by her two daughters, Sherry Martinez and Terry Rubalcava; two son-in-laws, George Martinez and Armando Rubalcava, her five grandchildren, Lily Ann Martinez, Steven Martinez, Bryan Martinez, Robert Rubalcava and Michael Rubalcava; and her two great grandchildren, Autumn Sophia-Rae Rubalcava and Ryan Apollo Rubalcava.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George Dewey Hynes and Caryl Melba Hynes, her husband Raymond Rice and her brother, Robert Hynes.
Melba wanted to be cremated and did not want any funeral services. So, her family are honoring her wishes.
Condolences may be sent to her family through our website.
From an early age, Melba suffered with asthma. Her parents decided to move to the state of Washington in hopes that her asthma would improve, but it did not. They ultimately settled in East Los Angeles California. She graduated from Montebello High School in 1946 and attended East Los Angeles College. She worked for the phone company and also as a clerk for Budget Finance. She met and married Raymond Rice on February 13, 1948. She continued to work until she had her first baby and then became a housewife. They moved to her present home in Montebello in 1961. She was an active member of the PTA for a number of years. She was very involved in the Walking Program at the Montebello Town Center where she also amassed a large group of friends. She was very personable and made friends wherever she went. She loved animals and supported the Humane Society as well as the Disabled American Veterans. To sum up her life, I would have to say “always a friend.”
She is survived by her two daughters, Sherry Martinez and Terry Rubalcava; two son-in-laws, George Martinez and Armando Rubalcava, her five grandchildren, Lily Ann Martinez, Steven Martinez, Bryan Martinez, Robert Rubalcava and Michael Rubalcava; and her two great grandchildren, Autumn Sophia-Rae Rubalcava and Ryan Apollo Rubalcava.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George Dewey Hynes and Caryl Melba Hynes, her husband Raymond Rice and her brother, Robert Hynes.
Melba wanted to be cremated and did not want any funeral services. So, her family are honoring her wishes.
Condolences may be sent to her family through our website.
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