Elizabeth Rice

Elizabeth Gray Rice, age 93, went to be with Jesus on May 30, 2017. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2017 at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Moundville, Ala. Mrs. Rice was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Aubrey Lee Rice; her parents, Henry J. Gray and Hattie Jones Gray; brothers, Lee Gary, Clarence Gray, Frank Gary, Virgil Gray, Henry Gray, Jr., Ottis Paul Gray; sisters, Ethel Phares, Nellie Gray, Estelle Gray, Ruby Gray, and Madie Del Gray. She is survived by her two sons, Gene Rice (Dot) Brandon, Miss., and Tommy Lee Rice (Deborah) of Raymond, Miss; two granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; and two loving grand fur babies, She was born April 22, 1924 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. to extraordinary parents who taught her to love the Lord and each other. She grew up in the cotton fields of Alabama and had a huge family to work with, play with and they all loved to sing and play music together. She married young and enjoyed serving the Lord, being a devoted wife and a doting mother to their two sons. She took them to church and taught them of Jesus, the most valuable lesson a parent can teach. She took pride in her home and her boys and was known for her fried chicken and "BAMA" PUDDING. The Gray Reunion Family Members couldn't wait for her to show up with her baskets of goodies. She was a kind and gentle soul, always loving and hugging. She was an avid University of Alabama fan and enjoyed years of Alabama football on Saturday afternoons. She and Aubrey would roll back in their matching recliners and enjoy the games. Even as her sight became weak, she would still listen to the games. She enjoyed spending time with her family and her grandbabies, Gracie Gray Rice and Sophia Grace Rice on Sunday afternoons. Elizabeth loved gospel music and was a huge Vince Gill and The Band Alabama fan. Tommy took her and Aubrey to several concerts with Vince and Alabama; they had a wonderful, wonderful time. She was even entertained by Shot Gun Red on the Cruise around Nashville and went to the Grand Ole Opry. In 1995, she and Aubrey moved to Raymond, Miss. so they could be closer to their sons. They joined Raymond Baptist Church and enjoyed many years of services and fellowship. Elizabeth loved the Lord, Aubrey, her boys, and her family and friends. She would tell you if she were here today raising her children to love and respect other were her greatest achievements. Pallbearers will be Tommy Martin, Michael Martin, Josh Graham, Cecil Rice, Gene Rice, Bobby Rice, and Johnny King. The family would like to thank Bro. Edward King, Bro. Mark Strum and Bro. Tommy Jarrett for their love and support. And all the family and friends that loved our mom, mama Rice, Mamaw. A special thank you to Dr. Gene Wood for all the years of seeing to our parents, Elizabeth and Aubrey. "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15