Shirley Mae Rice

Shirley Mae Palermo Rice, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Shirley’s life was centered on faith, family, and caring for others.

Born to Joe and Jennie Pecorino Palermo, she was proud of her Italian heritage. A devout Catholic, she prayed her rosary every day without fail and prayed for her family daily. Like many Italian mothers, she was fiercely protective of those she loved and did everything in her power to shield her children from harm.

An excellent cook, Shirley made it her mission to ensure her family was well-fed—often calling her grown children to ask not only if they had eaten, but what they had eaten. She also loved going to the casino with her family, where she would practically skip through the doors, play the slot machines for hours, and light up with joy at the thought of going.

For 67 years, she was married to her husband, Herbert Rice Jr. She is survived by her children, Jodye Burge (Carl Wayne), Jay Rice (Lisa), Kirk Rice (Lori), and Joni Jalali; grandchildren, Kurt Riley Jr. (Nicole), Christopher Burge (Denyse), Mina Jalali, Amir Jalali (Delani), Jacob Rice (Cassee), Blake Rice (Ashlyn), Courtney Tomplait, Dalton Harral, and Lincoln Harral; great-grandchildren, Waylon Rice and Reza Jalali; and her sister, Elizabeth Palermo Vidrine.

She was preceded in death by siblings, Joseph (Nook) Palermo, Edward John Palermo Sr., Jennie Palermo Catalina, and Barbara Palermo Doyle.

She will be remembered for her loving heart, fierce protectiveness, deep faith, and the way she kept her family connected.

Memorial contributions may be made to Three Oaks Hospice, 350 Pine Street Suite 335, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or online at https://www.threeoakshospice.com/foundation. As well as, Visiting Angels, 350 Pine Street #315, Beaumont, Texas 77701.

A gathering of Mrs. Rice’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 1:30 p.m., with her funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. Her interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.