Liz Rice

Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Moss Rice, 101, passed away peacefully Friday, April 4, 2025, 15 years after moving to the Tupelo Traceway Retirement Community.

She was born to the late William Robert and Emma Lydia Moss January 15, 1924, and grew up on a farm just south of Franklin, Tennessee. Upon graduating from George Peabody College for Teachers in 1945 with a degree in Vocational Home Economics, Liz worked as a home economist in Mayfield, Kentucky, and in tent shows in rural Arkansas demonstrating “new fangled” appliances where she met Bob Rice, of Lonoke, Arkansas, whom she married in 1952. They moved to Tupelo in 1957 and celebrated 54 years of marriage before his passing in 2006. The home they made was open to all, and there was always an extra place at their table. Liz was a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker: cooking, sewing, and caring for family and friends. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a long-time community volunteer and loyal patron of the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and Tupelo Community Theatre. She and Bob found great pleasure in traveling to visit family as they spread out across the country. Their travels also took them to many interesting and beautiful places, including Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Asia, North Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

After moving to Traceway, Liz welcomed other elders to their community with her warm smile and zest for life. She continued to enjoy family and friends, playing bridge, and reading. Her unendingly positive and happy attitude was immediately obvious, widely known, and a blessing to all.

Survivors include her four children: Lynn Rice Audenaert (Bill) of Madison, Alabama, Rob Rice (Linda) of Tupelo, Bill Rice of Tupelo, and Lee Rice Smith of Summerville, South Carolina; 11 grandchildren: Neal Audenaert (Michelle), Brian Audenaert (Liz); Drew Rice (Meg), Beth Ann Smith (Mark), Lydia Colín (Abelardo); David Rice (Melissa), Marion Rice, Emma Rice; Bert Smith, Sarah Scroggins (Caleb), and Mollie Steiner (Mitch); and 17 great-grandchildren: Amelia, Ezra, and Amos Audenaert; Quinlan, Piper and Zoe Stovall; Hugh and Margaret Rice; Virginia, Nathanael, and Hannah Smith; Eva and Roy Colín; Alexander and Lawrence Rice; Wyatt and Mason Scroggins.

She was predeceased by her husband Robert E. Rice, her brother William Moss, and son-in-law Al Smith.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and nephews.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Tupelo Memorial Park followed by a visitation from 12 until 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in the Gathering Room and a memorial service at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Rev. Steven P. “Rusty” Keen, Rev. Fawn Ryland Keen, and Rev. Karie Sue McCaleb officiating. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the entire Traceway Retirement Community and her dedicated team of caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First United Methodist Church, PO Box 854, Tupelo, MS. 38802; The Sunday Fund, Methodist Senior Services Development Office, PO Box 1567, Tupelo, MS 38802-1567; North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 474, Tupelo, MS 38802; TCT, 201 N. Broadway St., Tupelo, MS 38804;, or a charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.