Opal D. Rice

A TIME TO BE BORN

Sunrise for Mrs. Opal Delores Rice was June 28, 1949, to the late Charles James, Sr. and Flora B. Turner in Saint Louis, Missouri. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in April 1960 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church by Pastor J.N. Lightfoot in Waukegan, Illinois. In April 1962, she united with Gideon Missionary Baptist Church by Christian experience, under the leadership of Pastor H.J. Cook.

A TIME TO PLANT AND A TIME TO HARVEST

In 1968, Opal attended Sawyer College of Business in Waukegan, IL. Throughout her life, she demonstrated an unwavering passion for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and faithfully served at Gideon Missionary Baptist Church for more than 35 years. Her contributions included roles as a clerk, choir member, Sunday School teacher, usher, and President of the Gideon Usher Ministry. She was also a member of the Finance Committee, security team, and served as Vice-Chairman and Secretary of the Gideon Federal Credit Union.

Professionally, Opal worked as a Proof Operator and Bank Teller at First Midwest Bank and later served the City of Waukegan Police Department from 1978 to 1988, as a Communications I Dispatcher, Clerical Tech II and Victim Services Advocate. She later began a career with Commonwealth Edison, retiring in 2003 as a Senior Customer Service Representative so she could devote more time to helping raise her grandchildren.

Opal proudly served as an elected Waukegan Township Trustee from 2017 to 2021. She served as the secretary and treasurer for re-election campaigns, was a member of the Senior Citizens Service Committee (SCSC), was a founding member of the Distinguished Visionaries committee for Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson, and was also a valued member for the Thousand Dollar Club for the annual Artis Yancey HBCU tours.

Opal started her successful career as an Independent Avon Representative in 2000 and continued it with passion and commitment throughout her life, earning recognition in Avon’s President’s Club on multiple occasions.

Opal was also deeply committed to usher ministry beyond her local church. For more than 35 years, she was an active member of the Twin City Usher League, where she most recently served as Vice President and Chairman of the Board of the Unit Church Ushers League for the State of Illinois. She also served as Chairman of the Twin City Recreational Picnic Project and was a member of the Central Region Ushers under the umbrella of the National United Church Ushers Association.

A TIME TO LOVE

In August 1969, Opal married Thomas R. May, with whom she remained friends throughout her life. To this union three children were born, Audra Monique May, Tanya Michele May, and Dionne Monique May. In July 1981, she married Alphonso Rice, sharing forty-four years of marriage together. Opal deeply cherished her family, and treasured every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed worshipping and serving in church, traveling around the world, attending family reunions, exercising, sharing her love for beauty and connection through Avon, and watching her favorite shows: Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Wheel of Fortune, Law & Order: SVU.

A TIME TO REST

Sunset for Mrs. Opal Delores Rice was on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Banner Ironwood Medical Center in Queen Creek, Arizona.

She leaves in God’s care her loving mother, Flora B. Turner of Northbrook, IL a mother-in-law: Girlena Rice of Long Grove, IL; a devoted husband, Alphonso Rice; two beloved daughters Tanya Phillips of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Dionne May of San Tan Valley, AZ; three sisters: Yolanda Johnson of Kenosha, WI, Trena (Maurice) McGuire of Cahokia, IL, Dimeta Bruce of Cahokia, IL; four brothers: Gregory Turner of O’Fallon, IL; Rosario (Deshanea) James of Belleville, IL; Rodriguez James of Florissant, MO; and Nolan James of Saint Louis, MO; a brother-in-law: Alfred (Jodi) Rice of Waukegan, IL; four grandsons: Denzel Franklin, Sr. (Nandi Baker) of Kenosha, WI; Jeffrey Phillips II of Kenosha, WI; Thomas Phillips of Chicago, IL and Justus Webb of San Tan Valley, AZ; three granddaughters: Jaden Gilbert (John Mhango) of Glenn Heights, TX, Jazlyn Dent of San Tan Valley, AZ, and Fallon Webb (Lance Nicholson) of Sardis, MS; one great-granddaughter: Shania Baker; four great-grandsons: Denzel Franklin II., Lux Green, Legend Mhango, and Idris Nicholson; a God-daughter, Regina Danzie of Davenport, IA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, church family, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Audra Monique May; her father, Charles E. James, Sr.; stepfather James E. Turner; grandmother, Queen Elizabeth James; grandparents, William and Azalea Campbell; her brothers, Andre James and Charles E. James, Jr.; and sisters, Sheela Paine and Avia James.