Mrs Lee Rhoads Holloway Buice, OHS Teacher

(b 1-25-1932 - - d 1-19-2009)

ODESSA. Mrs Lee Holloway Rhoads Buice, 76, passed away Monday morning Jan. 19, 2009, at Odessa Home Hospice. 

Lee Buice was born in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, to Burt Lee Rhoads and Mabel (Nance) Thomas Rhoads on Jan. 25, 1932. 

She was predeceased by both parents and an only sibling, Burta Rhoads Raborn. She and Dr. Joe Buice were married on June 18, 1965, in Denton, Texas, and enjoyed forty-two years of marriage until his death in April 2007. 

Dr. Buice spent her early years in the United Kingdom and France, coming to the United States with her family and attended elementary school. She also attended school in Boston, Denver and Bakersfield, California, before graduating from high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She received two baccalaureate degrees from Texas Women's University, a master's degree from the University of North Texas, and a Ph.D. with honors from the University of Southern California. She did postdoctoral work at both Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and at the American Management Association in New York City. She majored in theatre and speech communication and this became her teaching and professional areas of emphasis. After teaching two years at Decatur and Irving high schools, she launched a successful career at Odessa High School, where she directed a drama and speech program earning many state titles. In 1963, she joined the faculty at Odessa College, where she directed the speech and forensics program and under her leadership her students earned top state and national awards. In 1975, she became Assistant to the President at the College and began a successful tenure as a college administrator. In 1986, Dr. Buice was named Dean of Human Services and Communications, where she remained until her retirement in 1994. After retirement she continued her teaching career at UTPB and undertook numerous voluntary roles in local, state and national organizations. Dr. Buice served on numerous boards including the Ector County Independent School District Board of Trustees, The United Way, ECISD Education Foundation and the Permian Basin Fair and Exposition, becoming president of each organization. 

Lee is survived by her sons, Don Holloway and his wife Paige of Franklin, Tenn., Burt Holloway and his wife Sherri of McAllen, Texas, and Mark Holloway and his wife Mary Ann of Odessa; a daughter, Laura Nugent and her husband Jay of Willis, Texas. Lee is additionally survived by many loving and loved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and numerous dear friends. 

A memorial service will be held at CrossRoads Fellowship, 6901 Highway 191, Odessa, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, at 2 p.m. with Reverend Griffin Jones officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the ECISD Education Foundation, Home Hospice or the charity of your choice. 

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.

Published in Odessa American on Jan. 22, 2009

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