Biography: UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION: Due to the weather, memorial services that were scheduled for Friday afternoon for Mattie Mae Rice have been RESCHEDULED for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2009, at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Mattie Mae Ball Rice, age 82, of Little Rock, died March 4, 2008, at St. Vincent Infirmary. She was born in Keo, Arkansas, on September 9, 1925, to the late Lemuel Curtis and Bobbie (Baxley) Ball. She is the widow of William A. “Buddy” Rice to whom she was wed on September 15, 1946. Mr. Rice preceded her in death on August 26, 2007. They were married for almost 61 years. Mattie Mae graduated from Scott High School in 1944 and attended Hendrix College for 2 years. She later received her B.A. degree from UALR in 1975. Mattie Mae was a long-time member of the Methodist Church and held various leadership roles in the church for most of her life. She was employed by Asbury United Methodist Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church and Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church for a total of 20 years. She served as President of the Little Rock Conference of United Methodist Women, and was the immediate past chairman of the St. Paul United Methodist Church Council. Mattie Mae was a 1996 delegate to the World Methodist Conference in Brazil. She was the recipient of the Mary and Ira Brumley Award for Dedicated and Fruitful Service in Religious Education from Hendrix College, and was presented with a Ministry Leadership Award at the 2004 Arkansas United Methodist Annual Conference. She also was an Older Adult Participation Coordinator and Little Rock District Youth Coordinator for the United Methodist Church. Mattie Mae also worked for Little Rock Public Schools as a Coordinator for the Pupil Personnel Department. In 1979, Governor Bill Clinton appointed her to serve as a member of the Governor’s Conference on Families for Arkansas. She held elected offices in the American Association of University Women and served at the state, regional and national levels. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was an honorary adult member of the Little Rock Youth Council. She was also a member of the Afternoon Book Club. Mattie Mae was the recipient of many awards, accolades, and recognitions, but she always gave the thanks to God for her ability to minister to others. She has left an indelible impression on all who came in contact with her. She is survived by her two loving children: Mary Rice Goodman and husband Ben, of Southlake, Texas, and Dr. James Curtis Rice of Little Rock; seven grandchildren, Ashley Cristofaro (Joe) of Leesburg, Virginia, Jacob Rice (Leah) of Little Rock, Joseph Rice and Abigail Rice of Fayetteville, Emily Rice of Portland, Oregon, Benjamin D. Goodman of Santa Monica, California, and Mary Bevens Goodman of Arlington, Virginia; three great grand daughters, and one great grandson. In addition to her husband, Mattie Mae was also preceded in death by two brothers, Baxley E. and Alton Ball and a very special niece Elizabeth Edmondson. Mattie Mae will lie in state at Ruebel Funeral Home until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Friday. Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2008, at Forest Hills Cemetery followed by a celebration of her life at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m. Dr. F. Gladwin Connell and Reverend John Fleming will officiate. Memorials are requested to St. Paul United Methodist Church. 2223 Durwood Rd., Little Rock, AR 72207. Funeral arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock. You may sign Mrs. Rice guest book at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.