Neautha Cathrine (Howard) Rice

WITTMANN – Our sweet matriarch Neautha Cathrine (Howard) Rice went home to be with the Lord on February 9, 2021 at the age of eighty-eight. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at her daughter’s home in Wittmann, AZ.

Neautha was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on September 28, 1932 and moved with her family to Scottsdale, AZ in the 1940’s. She married her childhood sweetheart on June 17, 1951, soon after she graduated from Scottsdale High School where she enjoyed playing softball. She studied Bible and the Hebrew language at Grand Canyon College and later went on to become an ordained minister.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Elaine Somerville (Denny), Karen Brogdon (Denny), Brenda Russell (Dave); 9 grandchildren, Shirley Aguirre (Dan), Jake Brogdon (Jeanne), Rick Smith (Sabrina), Ryan Smith (Nicki), Wayne Smith (Stephanie), Selina Arends, Dusty Faulkner, Brent Smith (Serenity), Lisa Hopewell (Aaron); 15 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, Kira and Ellis; along with her many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Rice, the love of her life, her parents, Ulysses and Anna Howard, six brothers and one sister.

There will be a graveside funeral at 10:00 AM on Monday, February 22nd. Due to COVID restrictions, attendees will be limited to a maximum of 50. It will be held at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, located at 200 W. Beardsley Rd.