Linda Payne Whatley Rice

Mrs. Linda Payne Whatley Rice, age 79, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025 surrounded by her family, in West Monroe, LA following a brief illness.

She was born on September 20, 1945 to William Marvin and Myrtis Payne on the farm she chose to make her lifelong home. She is preceded in death by her first husband, Jimmy Allen “Tom” Whatley of Lake Providence, LA; her parents; and her sister, Merle Payne Raborn.

Linda Nell graduated from Rayville High School in 1963 and received a bachelor’s degree from Northeast Louisiana University in 1969. Upon graduation she was offered a job with the Department of Family and Children Services in Lake Providence, Louisiana where she worked and lived for many years. She later worked as a Forensic Investigator with the Department of Children and Family Services with her work at DCFS lasting for more than 35 years in Northeast Louisiana. Her work in the field of Child Abuse and Neglect in the Fifth Judicial District Court area in Richland and East and West Carroll Parishes was challenging and rewarding.

Linda also served in Sedente Animo Civic Club and was active in civic and community work. Many years as a social worker she coordinated for the community to donate toys and clothing for Christmas to be possible for hundreds of families that were involved in the Child Protection program, later partnering this program with a local attorney who has continued to bless so many families each year. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Rayville and enjoyed attending events with her Sunday school class. She enjoyed her yearly trips with her high school friends during retirement and has cherished the memories she made traveling all over the United States with her family and her friends. Monthly book club meetings and any excuse to have lunch with her friends was always welcome. She was a loving daughter, sister and aunt, who always put her family before anything else. Her life was giving of service and integrity, enriched by the love of her family, friendships, travel and her love of music. Our community is a better place because she chose to live and work here.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 31 years, Frank Henry Rice, her daughter, Amanda Whatley Miller and favorite son-in-law, Justin; four grandchildren, Reagan Alane Power, Marisa Lynn Power, William Ford Power, and Macon Payne Miller; four brothers-in-law, Smokey Whatley (Tina), Larry Whatley (Renee), Tony Whatley (Charlotte), and Quince Whatley (Chrissie); Nephews and nieces, Tom Raborn (Paula), Scott Raborn (Jamie), Jonathan Raborn (Mariana), Terri Watts (Harold), Summer Jean Whatley, Adam Whatley (Carly), Anna Whatley, Olivia Huffstetler (Scott), John Marshall Whatley (Aimee), Megan Chappell (Andy), Chloe Jones (Joshua), Joseph Tyler Whatley (Megan), Michael Whatley (Maddison), Ryan Whatley (Jake), Kylie Clark, Kade Clark (Malorie); and special cousins, Sandra Bagbey Johnston (Charles) and Tonya Vaughn Bagbey (Richard) and a host of great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation for friends was held at Boeuf River Baptist Church of Rayville, Louisiana, Friday, January 17, 2025 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm and funeral services were held at 2:00 pm. Johnny Hoychick, Jr. and Rev. Marcelle Crow officiating. Interim was in Start Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, Louisiana.

Pallbearers were Quince Whatley, Peyton Raborn, David Moore, Dr. Robert Massingill, Butch Jones and Jacob Power. Honorary pallbearers were her nephews, great-nephews and brothers-in-law of her Whatley family, Billie Ray Gammill, Josh Moore, Dewayne Clements, Gary Hinton, Evyn Oquain and Jase Barton.

During her illness, Mrs. Rice was assisted by many kind and skilled caregivers. The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation for their loving and compassionate vigilance, as well as to Jennifer Bennette, N.P., Dr. Robert Massingill, the staff at Cornerstone Specialty Hospital, Reverend Marcelle Crow and the countless friends whose love and prayers sustained.

Any planned memorials may be made to: Oak Ridge Baptist Church Youth Project; P.O. Box 75, Oak Ridge, Louisiana 71264 Reily Memorial Methodist Church, Children’s Ministry, P.O. Box 253, Mer Rouge, Louisiana 71261 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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