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Light a Candle
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Saturday, June 26, 2021
10:00 am
Central Daylight Time
First United Methodist Church of Burleson
590 NE Mcalister Rd, Burleson, TX 76028
https://fumcburleson.org/
The memorial service will be streamed live at:
https://fumcburleson.org/live/
Martha (“Marti”) Jane Rice, 75, of Burleson, Texas, took her final curtain call and exited stage left to be with our Lord on May 18, 2021. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Burleson, Texas.
Marti was born on January 16, 1946 in St. Petersburg, Florida to Anna Travis and James Wheeler. Growing up Marti lived in several towns including Hampton Bays, NY, St. Petersburg, FL, Montgomery, AL, Sanford, FL (where Marti started high school) before one last move to Woodbridge, VA where she graduated high school as the salutatorian.
She was an adventurous child, often riding her bike while standing on the handle bars. Even as a child Marti had an incredible talent for easily making friends, and for making those around her feel supported and encouraged. As many know, time and distance was no barrier when she was called upon for a shoulder to lean on. She was quick to offer advice, to share her experience and life lessons.
As a young adult Marti worked for the American Red Cross and volunteered for the Little Theatre of Alexandria in Alexandria, VA where she built costumes, props, sets, and assisted with publicity. She graduated with an associate’s degree from Frederick Community College in Frederick, MD where she was active in their theatre productions. A lifetime love of the arts followed including many seasons as a volunteer at Theatre on the Hill in Westminster, MD.
Marti also volunteered many years with the Girl Scouts of America, eventually working for the Penn Laurel Girl Scout Council fulltime as a program manager. She enjoyed several career paths, the longest one being a credentialed property and community manager for apartments, condos, and home owner associations in Maryland and Georgia. Similar to her childhood, as an adult Marti called many places home: Arlington, VA, Walkersville, MD, Springfield, VA, Middletown, MD, Frederick, MD, Austell, GA, Las Vegas, NV, and finally Burleson, TX where she found a loving community and a large group of caring friends. She joined the First United Methodist Church of Burleson where she was an active member and volunteer.
Marti loved working with her hands and being creative, often turning random items in to works of art or fun toys for her grandchildren. Her artistry included acrylic and watercolor painting, crocheting, sewing, needlepoint, cooking, and her biggest passion: gardening. No yard was safe from Marti’s green thumb; at each home she would cultivate a veritable Garden of Eden in the backyard. She loved classical music and the Beatles, and had a history of watching Star Trek marathons until late in to the evening.
Marti is survived by her siblings Philip Travis of Berryville, VA, Carol Benson, and Sue Travis, both of Floral City, FL; her children: Dawn Hournbuckle (husband Wayne) of Walkersville, MD; Gail Miller of Glen Burnie, MD; and Grant A. Rice (wife Katharine) of Bedford, TX; her grandchildren: Cameron Rice, Clifton Mowell, Cortney Lovenguth (husband Tim), Corey St. John, Addison Miller, Kennedy Miller, Margaret Rice, and Andrew Rice. In addition she will be missed by her cousin George Hamel of Brandywine, WV and her many nieces and nephews. She leaves behind close friends that stretch across the globe including Sue, John, Sharon, Jana, Janice, Joan, Patty, Johnny, Mike, Uli, Elke, to name only a few.
Although Marti may have left the stage earlier than any of us would have imagined, her performance was award-winning and all who knew her are left with memories of a life well lived. As she often said, “eat desert first, because you never know what may happen!”
A celebration of life will be held in Frederick, MD at a later date.
