Obituary of Darlene Viola Rice

Darlene George-Rice was born on November 24, 1912, to the late Alvin and Gertrude George, in Emerson, Arkansas.  Darlene was the second born of six children, all of whom has preceded her in death.

Darlene graduated from Boley High School in Boley, Oklahoma.  Following her high school graduation, she attended Langston University, and studied nursing.

Darlene had a love for singing, as a young lady growing up, she and her sisters were well known around the state of Oklahoma s the “George Sisters.” Even at the age of 104, Darlene was still singing at every opportunity that God gave her.
In 1935, Darlene married Artillery Kimbell and to this union three children were born, Anna Marie Fisher, Verner Patterson and Alvin (AJ) Kimbell. Darlene’s son Alvin Kimbell, (AJ) preceded her in death.

In 1951, Darlene married Cornelius Rice.  After they were united as one, Darlene relocated to Sapulpa, OK, where she lived for the next 50 years, until 2008.

Darlene was very active in church.  She was faithful member of Snowden Chapel CME Church where she served as the Choir Director for both the adult and youth choirs.  She was also the Youth Director for the Snowden Chapel CME Chapter for their NAACP.  For over a decade, she held the positions of Youth Director, Delegate, and Register of the 9th Episcopal district of the Oklahoma Conference for the CME Church.  She not only diligently served in her church but in many churches in the Tulsa, Sapulpa area.  It is here that Darlene found her love for helping others in their time of need.

Darlene was a woman of many trades.  She was the owner and operator of Darlene’s Beauty Salon.  She was later employed by Hissom Hospital, where she retired.  Later, Darlene decided that she was not done serving others and became an active Foster Grandparent for the city of Tulsa, where she continued working as a Foster Grandparent until the age of 90.

In 2008, Darlene moved Oklahoma City, to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Henry and Marie Fisher.  It is here that she had frequent visits from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members and friends.

On Monday, May 22, 2017, Darlene George-Rice departed this earthly world, leaving to cherish her memories, daughters Marie Fisher, Oklahoma City, OK (Henry, Sr), Verener Patterson, Compton, California, 4 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Freda George, Grove, California, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.