West Lebanon - Paula Jean (Pearson) Rice, 78, West Lebanon, passed away in the Majestic Care of Lafayette, on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 10:19 a.m.  She had been a resident there since March.
Paula was born in Williamsport, Indiana on October 31, 1946.  She was the daughter of the late Leland and Helen (Peterson) Pearson.  Paula was a life resident of the West Lebanon community, where she graduated from Seeger Memorial High School in 1965.
Paula first began working in the accounting department at Walgreens in Danville, IL.  She later worked in the laundry department in the Williamsport Nursing Center.  She later worked as a cook in the cafeteria department of the Seeger Memorial High School, later transferring to Purdue University where she worked as a cook in food services at Cary Quad and Earhart residence halls at Purdue University until her retirement in 2009.
Paula was a lifelong member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in West Lebanon.  She was a former member of the Ladies Red Hat Society.  She enjoyed reading and raising both a flower and vegetable garden.  She was an excellent cook and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Paula enjoyed the times spent with her Purdue friends and their vacation spots.
Paula married her highschool sweetheart, Lewis C. Rice on October 22 1966 in West Lebanon, IN.  Lewis preceded her in death on April 19, 1991.
Paula leaves behind two daughters, Lisa (Darrell) Scarlett, McEwen, TN and Leslie (Quentin) Prather, Williamsport; two brothers, Dennis (Bobbi) Pearson, Springfield, IL and Jeff Pearson, West Lebanon; four grandchildren, Avery Stanfield, McEwen, TN; Kensley & Izabella Prather, Williamsport; Ace McGuire, Williamsport; three great-grandchildren, Emerson, Oliver and Liam Robertson.  She was preceded in death by a daughter, Yvonne Michelle Rice; a granddaughter, Haley Robertson and a brother, Charles "Chick" A. Pearson.
Friends may call at the Maus Funeral Home, Attica, on Friday, July 25th, from 12:00 p.m. until the service time at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Steven Poston officiating.  Burial will follow in the West Lebanon Cemetery, West Lebanon, IN.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 301 S. Clinton St., West Lebanon, IN 47991 or to the American Cancer Society Research.