Floyd M. Rice

Floyd Marion Rice, 92, of Asheboro, transitioned on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Cross Road Retirement Community in Asheboro.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Union Grove Christian Church, Asheboro, with Rev. Scott Kidd and Rev. Garry Reeder officiating.  Burial with Masonic rites will follow in the church cemetery.

Born in Rockingham County, NC, Floyd was the son of the late Eugene Rice and Edna Ruth Joyce Rice.  Floyd spent his childhood and young adult years in Reidsville before moving to Guilford County in 1961 with his wife, Ethel Corrina Fox and infant daughter, Nancy Ruth.

His life with his new family blossomed into one of service. Floyd joined the local volunteer fire department and his wife, Ethel, joined the Ladies Auxiliary. Together, they would spend the next 11 years working as organizational leaders and aiding those in need. Their civic duties grew as Ethel and her best friend, Carolyn Ivey, established the Northeast McLeansville 4-H Club. Floyd was always supportive, whether it was playing taxi driver, aiding with building fair booths, going on farm tours or being a 4-H Camp Chaperone. In 1966, they were blessed with a second daughter, Ruby Davena. They instilled the value of service and sense of community into both their daughters.

In the early 1970’s, Floyd lost his wife to a long battle with cancer. As the seeds had been sown, his family reaped the harvest. Their network of friends rallied around the Rice’s offering support and an extended family to help him with his two girls.

4-H involvement brought many wonderful people into Floyd’s life, including his future wife, Lucy Rae Tedder. Floyd’s dedication to service traveled with him when they moved to the Grantville Community in Randolph County in 1974 .

Floyd’s roots grew as he became involved with the Grantville Civitan Chapter and Union Grove Christian Church where he served as a Deacon and assisted overseeing the cemetery for many years. He volunteered in the Seagrove and East Side Fire Departments, serving as a fireman and on the Board of Directors. During his lifetime, he devoted 53 years of service to volunteer fire departments. Floyd had been a Mason since 1969 and belonged to the Marietta AF & AM Lodge #444.

After his retirement from Luck’s, Inc., he spent over 6000 hours volunteering his time assisting his wife, Lucy, in the Randolph Hospital gift shop. His friendly nature, ability to fix almost anything and his keen sense of humor served him well. Floyd and Lucy gave countless hours of time to serve their community, touching the lives of many. They were well loved.

The last seven years, Floyd resided at Cross Road Retirement Community. He lived with Lucy in independent living until her passing in 2021 when he moved into assisted living. His outgoing personality and love of people made him a true asset to the CRRC. As the staff and residents speak of Floyd, it always with a smile on their face and laughter in the hearts.

Floyd’s faith in God shone as he possessed a strong sense of duty to his large, extended family. He was selflessness in caring for others, never seeking need for recognition. He was a truly inspiration to all the lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, Floyd was preceded in death by his first wife, Ethel Corrine Fox Rice; second wife, Lucy Tedder Rice; daughter, Davena Rice; and brother, James Rice.

Surviving are his daughter, Nancy Rice Stephens and husband, Gilbert; granddaughter, Ivy Corinne Stephens all of Cullowhee, NC and many Rice, Joyce, Fox and Tedder family members.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:45 p.m., Thursday, prior to the service at Union Grove Christian Church, Asheboro.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Union Grove Christian Church, Cemetery Fund, 3985 Old NC Hwy 13, Asheboro, NC 27205; Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394, East Side Fire Department 614 Daniel Road, Asheboro, NC 27205 or Cross Road Retirement Community,1302 Old Cox Road, Asheboro, NC 27205.

Godspeed