Lucy Dismukes Rice

Mrs. Lucy Dismukes Rice passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2nd at the age of 89.

Mrs. Lucy Rice is survived by three of her children, nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Her son, Walter L. Rice III (Julie) and his family: grandson Broc Rice (Samantha); great grandchildren Easton, Dallas, Bo and Blane Rice; granddaughter Rebecca Knowles (Brandon); great grandson Carter Knowles.

Her son, Edwin S Rice (Kathy) and his family: grandson Stewart Rice (Alison); great grandson Tripp Rice; grandson Garrett Bass (Rachel); great grandchildren Kalyn, Dane, Trevor and Sadie Bass.

Her daughter, Laura Medders and her family: granddaughter Shelby Briggs (Josh); great grandchildren Anderson, Caleb, Brooks and Barrett Briggs; grandson Cole Medders; granddaughter Lucy Medders; grandson Brandon Medders.

Her grandson Bradley S. Barnes (Amanda); great grandson Jackson Barnes.

Her sister Laura Hooper

Mrs. Lucy Rice is preceded in death by two of her children, Deborah L. Rice and Lucy Ann Barnes, her husband, Walter L. Rice Jr. and seven brothers and sisters.

Mrs. Lucy Rice was born on October 14, 1935 to Mr. and Mrs. Granville Sumner Dismukes of Murfreesboro, TN. She attended Central High School in Murfreesboro. Lucy was a member of the high school band and flag corp. She was also on the girls basketball team and active in many other activities such as 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). She graduated high school with honors.

Lucy continued her education at Middle Tennessee State College. While attending MTSC she worked for the campus’s student ran radio station, WMTS.

In 1956 Lucy’s brother, Zack, introduced her to a nice young man from Opelika, AL. Three months later she married the love of her life, Walter L. Rice Jr. She then joined Walter in Opelika and started building their life together. Walter and Lucy welcomed five children. She was a devoted wife and mother. Lucy worked along side Walter in the family construction company. She was very present and involved in her children’s lives. From football to cheerleading to swim team to horse shows she was right there cheering them on. Even the neighborhood children referred to her as “Mama Rice”.

Lucy loved sports. Many may remember that she was the pitcher for Rice’s Rookies, a local sports league in Opelika.

After the death of her husband, Walter, Mrs. Lucy Rice moved back to her hometown of Murfreesboro, TN where she volunteered with Hospice of Murfreesboro, supported the Boys and Girls Ranches and was an active member of the community.

Visitation will be held at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, AL at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 7, 2024 with service to follow at 11:00 AM CST. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of Mrs. Lucy Rice.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ivy Creek Hospice of Dadeville, 201 Mariarden Rd, Dadeville, AL 36853.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Ivy Creek Hospice. Special thanks to her caregivers, Dee Roboberson and Hazel Chapman, who Mrs. Lucy loved as family.