Sylvia Grace Rice

Sylvia Rice, 98, was born September 22, 1926, and passed away April 9, 2025. She spent her childhood in Michigan during the great depression, married a dashing young ex-sailor after World War II and soon moved to Oak Ridge where she raised her four children. She was a part of a small group who started Oak Ridge Bible Church and actively worked in Nursery, Sunday School, ladies groups, and missions. She later became a member of Oak Ridge Baptist Church where she loved teaching Sunday School and working with missions. She was a great example of living a Christian life. Some of her hobbies were gardening, sewing, painting, and bird watching. She enjoyed meeting with fellow woodcarvers well into her nineties.

She is predeceased by her parents, Curtis and Lillian LaVoy, her husband of 59 years, Robert Rice; her sister, Wilma Steward; and son-in-law, Randy Adair.

Surviving is her loving children R. Daniel Rice (Alison), David Rice (Vickie), Debbie Adair, and Deanne Fain (Jay); her grand children Oedi Rice, Brian Rice (Joyce), Evan Rice, Melanie Peters (Robby), Sharon Adair, Ben Adair, Tiffany Oglesby (Chris), Rachel Fain, Jeremy Fain (Sarah), Emily Kight (Kale), and Nathan Fain; her great-grandchildren Saya, Jaxon, and Aubrey.

There will be a visitation on Sunday, April 13, 2025 between 12:00pm – 1:00pm at Mott-McKamey Funeral Home in Oak Ridge, TN. A funeral service will follow at 1:00pm in the chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Bobbie McCoy officiating. Graveside service will follow the funeral service at Anderson Memorial Gardens in Clinton, TN. 

Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations is assisting the Rice family.