Katie Martin Rice

Morven – Mrs. Katie Martin Rice, 81, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 1, 2020 while a patient at Anson Health & Rehab in Wadesboro. Funeral services will be 2:00PM Tuesday at Leavitt Funeral Home with Rev. Lonnie Grose and Bro. Sydney Pratt officiating. Interment will follow at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery where she was a member. The family will greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00PM on Monday at Leavitt Funeral Home. Katie was born December 21, 1938, in Rutherford County, a daughter of the late William Winston Martin and Virgie Owens Martin. She was married to Thomas William Rice, Sr., who passed away in 2011. Katie was a much loved homemaker for her husband and her children. She was a well-known babysitter for her friends and neighbors and in addition to her own children, helped raise many of her neighbor’s children. When she was younger, she sewed many of her children’s clothes and enjoyed working a garden and sharing her produce with as many people as she could. In later years, she enjoyed reading and putting together jigsaw puzzles. At every age of her life, Katie was always happiest when she was a busy bee. Survivors include her children, Tom Rice, Jr. of Polkton, Katrina R. Martin of Peachland, Sherry (Jimmy) Walton of Norwood, Ann (Gary) Medlin of Jefferson, SC, David (Karin) Rice of Lilesville and Barbara (Paul) Allen of Huntersville; 9 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brothers and sisters, Betty Reynolds of Harrisburg, Vernell (Bob) Buchanan of Spruce Pine, William (Linda) Martin of Concord, Mary Byars of Middleburg, FL; Linda (Billy) Cooper of Charlotte, and Dennis Martin of Lincolnton. In addition to her parents and her husband, Katie was preceded in death by two sisters, Frances Humphries and Doris Hudson. The family suggests memorials be made to Shiloh United Methodist Church, c/o Sara Griggs, 778 Long Road, Morven, NC 28119.