Rena Jo Brown Rice, 75, of Whitesboro, Texas was called to her eternal home on Thursday, August 20, 2020.
Rena was born on September 1, 1944 in Bunkie, LA to Joseph Estease Brown and Anna Grace (Baugh) Brown Burk. She married Freddie Rice on June 2, 2007 in Gainesville, Texas. She worked for Johnson & Johnson for many years. Rena owned and operated Callisburg Grocery, worked for Lake Kiowa and for Bomber Bait in Gainesville. She enjoyed crocheting, needle point and working puzzles. She was a wonderful cook and loved to cook for her family and friends. She grew and canned her own vegetables. Rena loved her family and her dog Penny.
She is survived by her husband, Freddie Rice; son, Donnie Watson and wife, Vickie; son, Daryl Watson and wife, Tammy; step-daughter, Tammy Gregory and husband, Mark; step-daughter, Tracie Mobbs and husband, Randy; step-daughter, Christi Goldston; brother, Ronny Brown and wife, Paula; sister, Sherri Kay Gandillon and husband, Kris of St. Louis; grandchildren, Ben, Allisha, Stephanie, Cody, Danny, Christi, Charli, Chase, Caleb, Brittni, and Thomas; as well as numerous great-grandchildren.
Rena was preceded in death by her daughter, Jolene Watson, grandson, Joshua Castillo and her parents.
Graveside services honoring Rena will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 24, 2020 at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville, Texas, officiated by Bro. Hollis Parsons. A time of visitation will be held beginning at 9:30 AM on Monday at the cemetery.
I am very sorry for your loss!
Daryl and family, my deepest condolences to everyone over the loss of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Daryl, Donnie, Tammy, and the rest of Rena’s family, My thoughts and prayers for comfort for each of you during this time. I didn’t really have the opportunity to know this special lady, except from hearing stories about her love of cooking(especially Cajun food) and the Callisburg store where she made many friends. God bless each of you.
Our condolences to your family.James and Silvia Richards
Prayers are with my family. Rest in heaven Rena Jo. You will be forever missed Love you giys❤️
Rena was so special to me and to everyone who ever walked in her path. We read all the time God wants us to be like him and treat people as he would, Rena did. She was a true servant of God. No she wasn’t perfect. She would tell you that herself, and I know because I am not perfect and we were so, so much alike. I could have been her daughter or sister, we were just cousins but so much alike.
I will miss her so much.
Madison loved her and wanted to come visit so bad and couldn’t because of the virus. The day after she passed through heavens doors, Madison ,out of the blue said, I miss Mo Joyce and Aunt Rena, not knowing she had passed and that they were together in heaven. Little children, they know.
Love you, Rena.
Rena was a valued member of the security force at Lake Kiowa for several years during my tenure there.
She was extremely capable, had a quick wit and was not afraid to stand up for herself. Rena was proud of the Cajun influences that colored her life and lent flavor and spice to her legendary cooking abilities. It was my wonderful privilege to be on the receiving end of her friendship and her recipes! Rena, we will miss you greatly.