Bonnie Eugenia Rice

Bonnie Eugenia Rice, 89 years old, of Golinda, TX went home to be with her Lord on August 19, 2026.

Bonnie was born on October 24,1936 in Abilene, Texas to Albion Smith Hazelwood and Ruby Lee Keel Hazelwood. She was born the second of four children.

Bonnie grew up all over Texas including Dudley, Ralls, and Meridian. She called Ralls home until she met Vernon “Gene” Rice in July, 1954 in Meridian, Texas. It was love at first sight, and they were married three months later on October 16, 1954, in Glen Rose, TX. They were married 56 years until Gene’s passing in 2010. For 28 of those years, Bonnie faithfully cared for Gene after his stroke at 51 years of age.

Together they raised their three children in Eddy, TX where she dedicated herself to being a loving mother who taught Bible class at church on Sunday. She was a true homemaker, who always had a meal on the table, and whose home was always open to any children who would come by.

Bonnie worked odd jobs through the years and was a meat wrapper by trade, but her proudest accomplishment was opening Little Rockets Daycare with her daughter Rita in 1986, from which she retired in December, 2000. All the children that grew up during her time at Little Rockets loved “Miss Bonnie.”

Bonnie was a loving grandmother, who even while caring for her husband Gene, still had “grandkid weekends” and always came out to support her grandchildren in all their events.

Bonnie had an adventurous spirit, and she loved to travel. She traveled to all 50 states, her favorite of which were Alaska and Hawaii. She was a devout Christian and member of the Churches of Christ all her life. She loved her family dearly, She had a smile for everyone that always elicited a smile back. If she liked you, you were "adopted.” She was a mother to more than we can ever count. She had a sweet tooth and bringing her a dessert was a sure way to get her to like you.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Albion and Ruby Hazelwood; her husband Vernon Eugene Rice; her sister Edwyna Doris Smith (and husband Joe); brother Albion “Sonny” Hazelwood (and wife Hazel); and brother-in-law Larry Stogsdill.

She is survived by her sister Geri Stogsdill and her three children: Ron Rice and wife Robin, Weldon Rice and wife Diane, and Rita Hancock and husband Steve. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and countless “adopted” children.

Thanks to Baylor Scott and White Hospice for taking great care of Bonnie in her final days.