Fern Elaine Rice, 92, of Athens, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 9th, 2026.
She was born on Tuesday, April 24th, 1934, to the late Arnold E. Ford and the late Mary E. Duncan Ford.
Fern is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Thomas Orum Rice, Sr., one son, Thomas Orum Rice, Jr., one brother, John Ford, three sisters: Alice Hare, Mildred Bena, and Mary Wood, as well as one half-sister, Rilla Olson.
She is survived by two sons, Johnathan (Becky) Rice and Rodney (Danielle) Rice, three daughters: Teresa Elaine Hearn, Trudy Lynn (Denny) Smith, and Sheila Ann (David) Wilson, 19 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
In her free time, Fern loved watching sports, specifically Alabama football, she loved cooking, as well as spending time with her family whom she loved dearly.
A visitation will be held for Mrs. Rice at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home in Ardmore, Alabama on Saturday, November 14th, 2026, from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM with a chapel service scheduled immediately after visitation to begin at 12:30 PM. Burial will follow at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery in Pisgah, Alabama. Bro. Tony Boyles will officiate the service.
Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home is assisting the family with services.
