Estelle Rice

Mrs. Estelle Avent Darrow Rice, age 100, of Marble, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 17th, 2025.

Mrs. Rice was born on October 25th, 1924, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to Herbert Betts Darrow and Estelle Brown Avent Darrow. She was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she met her husband of 71 years, Nevin J. Rice, at Central High School. She later graduated from Queens College with a degree in psychology and the University of South Alabama with a master’s degree in counseling. She worked as a licensed professional counselor at the University of South Alabama and was also a private counselor throughout her career.

Mrs. Rice was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, where she served in the choir, following in the footsteps of her mother, father, and aunt. She was a loving and supportive daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. Mrs. Rice was a published author of poetry and personal essays that were inspired by her faith and her love of family, nature, and animals. She was also an accomplished painter, cook, musician, family genealogist, and dedicated student in life.

Mrs. Rice will be remembered for her kindness, patience, generosity, intelligence, and wit. Most of all, she will be remembered for her devotion to her family, through which she and her late husband Nevin created a strong foundation of love and faith.

Mrs. Rice was preceded in death by her parents Herbert Betts Darrow and Estelle Brown Avent Darrow, husband Nevin J. Rice, daughter Estelle "Bunny" Cox, granddaughter Tara Leigh Cox MacRae, and great-granddaughter Alden Betts MacRae. She is survived by a large and loving family, including her daughters Carolyn Betts Rice and Amy Alden Rice Liske, son-in-law Ronald "Sam" Cox, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 30th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville, North Carolina, with Rev. Dr. Bill Breedlove officiating. Internment will follow on Saturday, May 31st, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Rice requested donations be made to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran McDaniel Funeral Home of Murphy, North Carolina.