Obituary of Annice Bearden Rafield Ipser

Annice Bearden Rafield Ipser, 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Fort Worth.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 24th at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 3312 Dryden Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76109. Interment: Private ceremony at Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, MS.

Her memory may be honored with a gift to Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, 909 W. Shaw Street, Fort Worth, TX 76110; Subiaco Academy, 405 N. Subiaco Avenue, Subiaco 72865-9798; AR, or a charity of choice.

Annice was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 14, 1939, the oldest child of the late W.W. Rafield, Jr. (Buster) and Jennie Lee Bearden Rafield.

Because her father worked for the railroad, the family moved around the southern states during Annice’s childhood. Her favorite childhood memories were of Gulfport, MS, and seeing snow for the first time as a teenager.

Annice graduated from Louisiana Tech with a B.S. in speech, language, and hearing sciences in 1960. While there she became a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, served as a majorette in the school’s marching band, and met her future husband of over 50 years, Edward Anthony Ipser, Sr.

Annice worked as a speech therapist for a couple of years before becoming a stay-at-home mother, avid volunteer, and politically active in local politics. She and Ed moved to San Diego shortly after graduation and just a few years later settled in Fort Worth, TX where they would both live for the remainder of their lives.

In the 1980’s Annice began working in the Department of Religion at the AddRan College of Liberal Arts, Texas Christian University. Until her retirement in the spring of 2001, she worked diligently as the secretary to the Chairman and faculty of the department with a host of interns helping her to keep the department running smoothly. 

A lifelong devoted Catholic, Annice was an active member of St. Andrew Catholic Church. Annice was also active in many Fort Worth clubs for decades including Rejabian, Sigma Kappa Alumnae Chapter, the Shakespeare Club, and the Junior Woman's Club. She was also affiliated with the Daughters of the American Revolution. She helped form the TCU-area University West Neighborhood Association. 

Annice was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved sister, Mary Louise Rafield Els, and her husband, Edward Anthony Ipser, Sr. Survivors: Her son, Edward Anthony Ipser Jr. and wife, Surjatini Widjojo; grandchildren, Samantha, Tony, and Katrina; daughter, Jennie Lee Ipser; grandson, Aaron; daughter, Mary Margaret Ipser Walker and husband, Andrew; and two great-grandchildren, Alan and Ada.

She will be laid to rest with her family at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS.