Natalie Rice Bryant

Natalie was born on June 10, 1933, in Lewistown. She was the daughter of George Clifford Rice and Ethel Billmeyer Sweigart who preceded her in death.

While growing up, Natalie was an athletic superstar and played many sports including college level basketball at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She graduated from Rollins College in 1955 and went on to become a teacher in Lewistown. Natalie was a Special Educator and adored all her students and considered them part of her family. While at Rollins College, Natalie met Eugene (Gene) Bryant, and they were married on Sept. 4, 1959. Sadly, Gene passed away in Feb. 1994, leaving Nat much too soon.

After college, Natalie took an active interest in golf and became a 9-time Lewistown Country Club Ladies Champion. She loved the ladies’ groups she played with at both Lewistown Country Club and the Lake City County Club. She enjoyed more rounds of golf than could be counted and was an exceptional golfer playing well into her eighties.

Along with her parents and husband, Natalie was predeceased by her sister Marcia Rice Swartzell and her brother G. Clifford Rice III both of Reedsville.

Natalie is survived by her sister, Linda Wiedenmann of Lake City Florida and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who adored her.

Natalie believed in the words of Will Rogers, – “Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet.”

She was a friend to all and was known for helping others in any way she could.

Services are private and will be held by the family at a later date.