Maxine Iola Jones Rice, age 69, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, September 14, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer that weakened her body, but never her faith in Jehovah God and her deep and caring love for others.
She leaves to treasure her memory, her loving and devoted husband John Davis Rice of their home in Wake Forest, NC. They would have celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on September 29, 2013. Also surviving are her treasured daughters and sons-in-law, Angela Annette Rice-Warren and Michael of Roxboro, NC, and Lisa Ann Rice and Jerry Wade Jr. of Blanch, NC.
Born in Halifax County, Virginia, she was the twelfth of 12 children of the late Sydnor Archer Jones and Iola Trammell Jones. Maxine is survived by one sister, Mary Griffith of Wake Forest, NC, and one brother, Henry Edward Jones and his wife Gail of Springfield, OH.
She was preceded in death by five sisters, Mealie Jones McCormick, Margaret Jones Milton, Maggie Jones Adams, Mabel Jones Prowell, Mildred Jones Barksdale; and four brothers, Sam Flenoury Jones, Hurley Jones, James Allen Jones, and Bobby Milton Jones; and a special brother-in-law, Curtis Rice.
Also surviving are brothers and sisters-in-law Eldon and Josephine Rice, Earl and Linda Rice, Aubrey and Jeanette Rice, Allen and Cathy Rice, and Linda Rice; and numerous adoring nieces and nephews, each one firmly believing they are her ‘favorite’ because she made everyone feel that way.
A lifelong homemaker, wife, mother, and cherished friend, Maxine greatly enjoyed caring for others. Part of that caring included her diligent witnessing to others and sharing her faith in Jehovah God and his promise of an earthly paradise. Baptized in 1964, she was a member of the Falls Lake (Raleigh, NC) Congregation of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She created a home of love, warmth and beauty, surrounded by flowers she devoted hours to making the most gorgeous in the neighborhood, a paradise on her own street. She was especially proud of her beautiful hydrangeas.
Because of Maxine’s great love of flowers, they will be gladly accepted, as are donations to Safe Haven for Cats (http://safehavenforcats.org/), an organization that takes care of our feline friends, just like Maxine always did, or Hospice of Wake County (http://www.hospiceofwake.org).
The family sends sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the staff of Hospice of Wake County for their tireless and compassionate care.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at Powell Funeral Home in South Boston, VA, with Elder Steve Rice officiating, followed by burial at Halifax Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends immediately afterwards at Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, VA, 24592.
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