Obituary of Betty Rice

Betty Ann Phillips Rice, 78, of Roanoke, passed away at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Betty Ann was born on October 11, 1933, in Avon, Warren County, Illinois. She is a Virginian due to her heritage and her having to be where her mother was at the time. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gary Randolph Phillips and Grace Velma Bishop Phillips, sister, Virginia Marie Roberts, and a brother, Alvin Bishop Phillips. She is survived by her husband Clive Elvyn Rice, daughter, Martha Ann Massey and husband James Lee; step son, Richard Michael Rice; and step daughter, Danielle Marie Torino; five grandchildren, Katie, Ashley, and Jamie Massey; Brianna Rice LeMaster and husband Joshua; Jordan Michael Rice; one great grandchild; nephew Gusty; nieces, Theresa, Pattie, Roslyn and various cousins. At a young age Betty Ann always wanted to be a doctor. After finishing high school in Floyd County she received a pre-med scholarship to Bridgewater College but after one year her dream was shattered. Betty was diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus and would be unable to completer her schooling. She battled the decease for 61 years with the attitude of - it will not rule me, I will rule it. Betty Ann was a Registered Nurse who retired from the Veterans Administration where she worked in the psychiatric service, and was on the Volunteer Services Board at the local VA Medical Center and volunteered in the Prosthetics Department. Her time was spent as a community volunteer for many organizations. She was secretary of the Hanging Rock Foundation, long-time treasure of the Roanoke Civil War Round Table, and Registrar, President of the Roanoke Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). In the Virginia Division UDC, she served as Custodian, District Chairman, Vice President, Chairman of the Grave Marker Committee, and Chairman of Pages. She was also the director of the "Hanging Rock Rangers" Roanoke chapter of the Children of the Confederacy. She taught and was instrumental in organizing the Blue Ridge Bobbin and Lace Guilde. Her lace membership includes the English Lace Guild, International Old Lacers, Chesapeake Regional Lace Guild, and North Carolina Lacers. She gave demonstrations in bobbin lace at workshops, festivals, museums and schools. She was also an accomplished seamstress. She took courses in fabric painting, electrical wiring, and plumbing. Betty was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Jefferson Nurses Association, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Civil War Preservation Trust and the Museum of the Confederacy. It was guaranteed that if there was an obstacle in her path, it would be overcome. She believed in trust, truth, and dealing direct. Her favorite saying was "A brain is a terrible thing to waste". She will be remembered by many, many people. Special thanks and recognition go the the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (6 South) at Carilion Roanoke Memorial, who cared for Betty these many days. The ICU on 7 south is also recognized. You are all special and your compassion is much appreciated. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services C/O the V A Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153. These donations will be used for the purchase of canteen books so that her beloved veterans my purchase toiletries and items for personal grooming. A funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road by Pastor Jack Lowe of Peters Creek Church of the Brethren. Interment will be at a later date in Jacksonville Cemetery in Floyd County. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707