Joanne Mayo Rice

Joanne Mayo Rice was born on January 22, 1944, in Rogersville, Tennessee. She grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee where she attended Woodlawn School, then graduated from Clarksville High School in 1962. Her childhood best friend to the end was Molly Lisenbee Cook.

Joanne met her husband while attending Austin Peay College. They later married on September 18, 1963. Joanne and Bill were married for 63 years.

After moving to the Murray, Kentucky area, Joanne made dear friends among farming neighbors, at Murray Christian Fellowship, and as a founding member of Christian Community Church.

During her early marriage, Joanne focused on raising her four children but later returned to college. Joanne graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 1985, followed by a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 1993.

Joanne spent a fulfilling career helping and protecting the children, families, and vulnerable adults of Kentucky. She began her social work career with the Department for Social Services first in Daviess County and then Franklin County. Her last and most challenging social work position was as a Custody Evaluator for the Friend of the Court’s Office at the Fayette County Courthouse from 1993-2003.

Joanne’s favorite role in life was Mama and Granny. She always had time for her children and grandkids and always remembered their birthdays and favorite things.

Joanne is survived by her sister, Wanda Mayo Summerlin, niece, Erin Avera, nephew, Jason Summerlin, and great nieces and nephews, her husband, William “Bill” N. Rice, her children: Jennifer Rice Sullivan, Michael Rice, Melyna Rice Fang, David Rice, her 8 grandchildren: Caitlin Sullivan, Aidan Sullivan, Jelena Gonzalez, Sean Fang, Katherine Fang, Liam Fang, Morgan Fang, and Keira Rice, and 1 great-grandson, Henry Fang.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis and Champ D. Mayo, and her granddaughter, Julienne Celestine Rice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Joanne to Swallowfield Church of Christ in Frankfort, Kentucky or Life House Care Center in Murray, Kentucky.

A graveside memorial service will be on October 8 at 2pm at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, KY.