Doris Jean (Ozier) Rice

Doris went to heaven to be reunited with her loved ones on January 19, 2026 at the age of 91.

Doris was born on July 18, 1934. Her parents were Thomas Marvin and Mae Belle Ozier of Montgomery, Alabama

She married Herbert C. Rice, Jr. in January, 1955. She is survived by her daughters, Christine Rice Watson and Tonja Rice. She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Marvin and Mae Belle Ozier, her husband, Herbert, her son, Marvin and her granddaughter, Courtney Watson.

Doris worked as a clerk typist for the head of Winn Dixie stores, Mr. Tine Davis, and later at the Alabama Highway Department. She moved to Huntsville to be close to her daughters and granddaughter in the 1990s. She lived at Willow Run Apartments for 19 years where she was a beloved member of the senior community.

As a teenager, she took steel guitar lessons from the Montgomery guitar studio. She went on to perform at the City Auditorium when the Traveling Grand Ole Opry visited on Saturday nights meeting Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Hank Williams. She could hear a song on the radio and play it by ear on her piano. She loved to play “How Great Thou Art”, and music from the current Broadway shows and popular movies like the “Sound of Music.”

From 2011 – 2016, she enjoyed traveling to Point Mugu, California twice a year to visit her daughter, Christine who worked for the Navy there. She loved to go to the free movies on the nearby base, and discuss her thoughts on the movie and her critique of the plots well into her 80s. She loved supporting Auburn football. Her favorite hobby was watching Little House on the Prairie wit her friend and caregiver, Laura.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Affinity Hospice especially her loving nurse, Rae who took care of her the last year of her life

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Spry Funeral home in Huntsville, Alabama on Friday, January 30th at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Doris’s honor to your favorite animal rescue or a charity that assists the homeless.

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