Esteemed Houston Socialite Ella Botts Rice

Basic Information

Early Life & Family Heritage

The oldest child of David Rice Sr. and Martha Lawson Botts, Ella Botts Rice was born in Houston, Texas, on July 11, 1904. David Rice Sr. (1863-1938), her father, was part of the Rice family, known for their charitable foundations and civic involvement in Houston. Her mother, Martha “Mattie” Botts (1866–1952), was descended from the influential early Texas legal and business Botts family.

Ella’s paternal grandpa, Capt. Frederick Allen Rice, was a naval officer and civic leader in Houston, while her maternal grandfather, Walter Browne Botts, improved the region’s agriculture and law. The four grandparents laid the groundwork for prosperity, service, and social status. Ella’s first marriage was arranged by her great-aunt Jeanette “Jeanie” Hughes to protect Howard Hughes from Hollywood exploitation.

Marriages and Major Life Events

Marriage to Howard Robard Hughes Jr.

Ella, 20, married industrial heir and aviator Howard Robard Hughes Jr. at Christ Church in Harris County, Texas, on June 1, 1925. Howard Hughes learnt to fly a Waco aircraft and made his first films during their four-year marriage. The pair moved to Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel, a hub of early Hollywood and aviation.

• Marriage Date: June 1, 1925
• Marriage Location: Christ Church, Harris County, Texas
• Residence: Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles
• Duration: 4 years (1925–1929)

Despite familial efforts to protect Howard’s interests, the marriage proved short-lived. Ella filed for divorce in September 1929, and the decree was finalized on December 9, 1929, ending a union that had spanned 1,600 days.

Second Marriage to James Overton Winston Jr.

Ella married James Overton Winston Jr. (1902–1993) again in 1929 after returning to Houston. Their relationship produced three children over a decade, but their wedding date is unknown. The Winston family was noted for their charity salons and cultural support of Houston.

• Marriage Span: Approximately 1930s–1992

Their home in Houston served as a gathering place for Rice and Botts clan events, civic meetings, and society functions throughout the mid-20th century.

Role as Houston Socialite

Throughout her adult life, Ella Botts Rice held no formal professional title but became one of Houston’s most recognized social figures. Her influence manifested in three primary areas:

1. Civic Philanthropy Ella chaired annual fundraisers for local hospitals and schools between 1935 and 1965, personally raising over $250,000 in nominal donations (equivalent to over $2 million today). She tracked her giving in meticulously kept ledgers, ensuring transparency and community impact.

2. Cultural Patronage An early supporter of the Houston Symphony Society, she hosted monthly salons for composers and conductors from 1940 through 1970, drawing attendance of 50–100 guests at each event.

3. Family Legacy Stewardship As custodian of the Rice and Botts family archives, Ella supervised a donation of historical documents to Rice University’s Fondren Library in 1980, preserving correspondence dating back to the 19th century.

Her calendar routinely featured 20–30 society events per year, illustrating the breadth of her social engagement.

Children and Later Life

Ella’s three children with James Winston Jr. charted varied paths:

• James O. Winston III (1935–1974) pursued business in Houston’s energy sector until his untimely death at age 38.
• David R. Winston (b. 1937) became a real-estate developer, co-founding a firm in 1965.
• Elizabeth R. Kelsey (b. 1942) embarked on a career in education, teaching literature at the university level.

Following her second husband’s death in 1993, Ella lived two more years, passing away on June 23, 1992, at age 87. Her funeral drew over 300 attendees and was held at Glenwood Cemetery, cementing her role as a matriarch of Houston society.

Legacy and Social Mentions

Ella Botts Rice’s life has been recounted across various retrospective platforms:

• In a “100 Years Ago” online forum, her June 1, 1925 wedding was celebrated as a notable early event tying Texas high society to Hollywood’s nascent aviation community.
• A financial retrospective highlighted her brief marriage to Howard Hughes and her steadfast life in Houston, emphasizing her role in family continuity after her divorce in 1929.
• Genealogical databases list over 50 entries documenting her birth, marriages, children, and burial, ensuring her biographical footprint remains accessible to researchers.

Though she never sought the limelight professionally, Ella Botts Rice’s deft navigation of two marriages, her stewardship of family heritage, and her unwavering civic engagement define her lasting reputation as a cornerstone of Houston’s social fabric.

FAQ

When was Ella Botts Rice born?

Ella Botts Rice was born on July 11, 1904, in Houston, Texas.

Who were her parents?

Her parents were David Rice Sr. (1863–1938) and Martha Lawson “Mattie” Botts (1866–1952).

Whom did she marry first and when?

Her first marriage was to Howard Robard Hughes Jr. on June 1, 1925.

How long did her first marriage last?

Her marriage to Howard Hughes lasted from June 1, 1925, until the divorce finalized on December 9, 1929.

How many children did she have and with whom?

She had three children—James, David, and Elizabeth—with her second husband, James Overton Winston Jr.

When did Ella Botts Rice pass away?

She died on June 23, 1992, at the age of 87 and is buried at Glenwood Cemetery.

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