Lucius "Grappy" Rice, Jr.

Lucius “Grappy” Lanier Rice, Jr., 75, passed away on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at his home.

Lucius was born in Forsyth County on August 6, 1946 to the late Lucius Lanier Rice, Sr. and Dorothy Jennings Rice. He graduated from East Forsyth High School and continued his education at Forsyth Technical Institute.

He joined the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam War. He retired from OmniSource where he was employed as a clerk.

Lucius was an avid baseball fan, especially of the Atlanta Braves. He was an active supporter of the Walkertown Little League where he volunteered as an assistant coach and loved to cheer on his grandsons as their #1 fan.

Lucius enjoyed bowling and he and his wife Diane were on several bowling leagues throughout the years. He was also an active crew chief in drag racing events for R&T Motorsports. Lucius never missed watching his Western shows, especially Bonanza and Gunsmoke.

In addition to his parents, Lucius was preceded in death by his sister, Geraldine R. McBride.

Surviving family includes his wife of 54 years, Diane Rice; two children, Kenneth Rice (Christie) and Mary “Angel” Rice; grandchildren, Kenny Rice (Angel), Kerry Rice (Hannah), Tyler Merritt (Rachel) and Toby Merritt (Madison); and his expectant great-granddaughter. Also surviving is his sister, Sandra R. Johnson (Reuben); mother-in-law, Mary B. Lawson; and a large extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, with Rev. Clyde A. Stewart officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Robert F. Miller Center at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Walkertown Little League, P.O. Box 522, Walkertown, NC 27105.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com