Roy Wayne Rice, 67, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2021 after bravely battling a brain tumor known as Glioblastoma Multiforme. Born May 8, 1953 in Muhlenberg County he graduated from Greenville High School in 1971. He married his high school sweetheart in 1973. That same year he began his coal mining career. He worked with Amax, Peabody, and Pittsburgh/Midway Coal Companies until the early 1990’s. He remained at P & M Coal in charge of reclamation and was the last P & M employee in Kentucky. The Hopkins County mines won a reclamation award and Wayne was presented a framed photo years later. He worked at Ensign-Bickford Industries and enjoyed the many friends he met while there. His last public job was reading meters for K.U. He enjoyed his routes in Muhlenberg, Ohio, Hopkins, and Webster counties. He always carried dog treats in his pockets. If he left the truck door open, a few of the dogs would jump in. He’d continue reading meters, then later dropping them back at their house. He was a beloved baseball coach for many years. The players meant everything to him, and it brought him so much joy.
Wayne and Judy managed Luke’s Town and Country Flea Market together for 13 years. Occasionally, Wayne could be seen in Bubba Teeth, or a silly wig/hat, or singing at the top of his lungs. Wayne was a saved man and loved Jesus. He was ordained as deacon at Woodland Baptist Church in 1979. He taught Sunday School for many years and especially enjoyed Wednesday night “Children’s church” where they performed several skits for the church. Wayne and Judy joined Second Baptist Church, where their families attended, and the “Hearts and Hands” Sunday School Class welcomed them as part of worship with open arms.
He was preceded in death by his mother Billye Mary Rice, his father Roy Rice, Jr., a nephew Adam Daniel Curtis, and his father-in-law Luke Robinson. His most cherished accomplishment was his family. To Judy’s dismay, Wayne would tell strangers Jenny and Stuart were his, by his first marriage.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years (and according to Wayne, “about 40 years too long”) Judy Robinson Rice of Greenville; daughter, Jenny (Dr. Kelly) Vincent of Greenville; son, Dr. Stuart (Dr. Kristen) Rice of Greenville; grandchildren—Lauren (Thad) Cartwright, Maddie (Trey) Kinison, Carver Rice and Sawyer Rice of Greenville; great grandchildren, Briggs Cartwright, Henry Cartwright, “Baby Cartwright (on the way) of Greenville; loving mother-in-law, Carla Robinson of Greenville; his favorite next-door neighbors and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Wayne and Luann Sparks of Greenville; nieces, Jessica (Hays) Browning of Greenville, Rachel (Wes) McDonald of Newburgh, Ind, Karen (Larry) Vincent and Danni (Shawn) McGiveney; nephew, Roman Curtis of Youngsville, La.; great nephew, Brady Browning; great niece, Bailey Browning; sister, Linda (Dan) Curtis; aunt, Joyce Robbins of Charlotte, N.C.
You are invited, as our family conducts a graveside “Celebration of Life”, on Sunday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m. at Woodland Baptist Church, 181 South Greenville, KY. In lieu of flowers, our family requests to please perform a random act of kindness in memory of Wayne. Gary’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.garysfuneralhome.net. All are welcome.