Leona Vanice Avis Rice

leona rice

August 15, 1935 ~ March 4, 2023

Born in: Louisville, KY
Resided in: Arden, NC

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Leona Vanice Avis Rice, 87 of Arden departed to a greater reward on March 4th, 2023. She worked as a seamstress and was deeply involved in management and daily operations of D&R Lake & Grill. She was married to the love of her life on June 12th, 1957 for 65 years. The love they shared on that day was neverending and always visible between them.

She was preceded in death by her mother Ollie Roland, father Claude Avis, son Dean Rice, and son-in-law Michael Owens. She is survived by her loving husband Tom Rice, sons Thomas Rice and Troy Rice, daughters Karen Owens and Kristie Draper (Jim). She is also survived by her grandchildren Jonathan Owens (Cassondra), Felicia Pegg, Zachary Dupont (Lillian) and Breyson Draper, and great grandchildren Asher, Adira, Avaya, Garrett, Macie, Lauren, Kyndra, Hunter and Waylon. She was a sweet, caring, energetic wife, mother, grandmother, as well as a clever prankster. She will truly be missed and never forgotten.

A Graveside Service for Mrs. Rice will be held starting at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Avery’s Creek Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Steve McDaris officiating.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.

Services

Graveside Service: March 9, 2023 2:00 pm

Avery's Creek Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery
139 Avery's Creek Road
Arden, NC 28704

Add to My Calendar America/New_York 2023-03-09 14:00:00 2023-03-09 14:00:00 LeonaVanice AvisRiceGraveside Service Graveside Service 139 Avery's Creek Road,Arden, NC 28704

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Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Add to My Calendar America/New_York 1970-01-01 00:00:00 1970-01-01 00:00:00 LeonaVanice AvisRiceFuneral Home Assisting The Family Funeral Home Assisting The Family 72 Long Shoals Road,Arden, NC 28704

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  3. You will be dearly missed. I would love to have just a few of her recipes. The few things I know about canning vegetables, she taught me. A woman to be admired. We love you, Cynthia and Leslie.

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  5. We send our deepest condolences to Tom and the family. I remember Tom and Boots were like a brother and sister to my mom Eunice Rice Caldwell. Some of my most cherished childhood memories were visiting with them. As a child growing up, I always thought her name was “Boots” and I never knew that her actual name was Leona. She was a very sweet person to all and she will be greatly missed. She has gone home to be those who have went before us. We pray the Lord will provide comfort and peace to the whole family.

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  6. R.I.H.P. Aunt Leona. I never had the privilege to meet you. I’ve been told so many wonderful things about you. I know you have joined all the loved ones before you, now. I know they welcomed you with open arms. I want your family to know you were loved here in Kentucky by us all. I pray for all your family and friends. I know that they will surround you with so much love. R.I.P. My mother loved you so much (Edna Mae Avis Vincent.

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  7. Sweet Boots, I will always miss you until we meet again in heaven, you were such a sweet and loving person. It was my great pleasure to have known you.

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  9. Boots, you were always kind to me and I will miss you. Tom, your kids, grands, & great grands will be lost without you, but their precious memories will help them through the sad times. R.i.P.

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