Joyce Rice

Jan 29, 2025 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2025 | 3 comments

Velva “Joyce” Rice, 91 of Overland Park, KS, passed away on January 27, 2025. Joyce was born
February 20, 1933, in Seiling, OK, to George and Nellie (Mayfield) Furr. Joyce graduated from Seiling
High and lettered in basketball. After high school she moved to Wichita, KS. She landed a job with
the stock exchange and met Chauncey Rice. They married on March 19,1960 in Wichita Kansas and
started their family. Joyce was a homemaker and raised 3 daughters. She was a member of a social
sorority and volunteered with the girls’ schools and activities. As the girls got older, Joyce pursued
a career in Real Estate. In 1974, they moved to Overland Park, KS, where she has resided for 54
years. She worked for several local companies including Harold Gale, HD Lee Jeans, the family
owned and operated Laundromat, and Royal Insurance before retiring in 1991.

Joyce enjoyed entertaining the family by baking cinnamon rolls, hello dollies, chocolate chip
cookies, cherry pies and much more. She sewed clothes for her daughters, matching dresses for her
grand-daughters and many baby doll clothes. Later in life she loved doing puzzles, word search
games and reading Danielle Steel novels.

Joyce was a faithful member of East Heights United Methodist Church in Wichita, KS, and Old
Mission United Methodist Church in Fairway, KS. Joyce is preceded in death by her husband
Chauncey, her parents, Nellie and George Furr, brothers Haskell, Lloyd, Harold, and Dale Furr.
Joyce is survived by 3 sisters, Melba Jo Robinson of Edmond, OK, Darlene Stidham of Taloga, OK,
Karen Lomax of El Dorado, KS, her 3 daughters, Alicia (Kevin) Kannard of St. Charles, MO, Cindy
(Bob) Svec of Overland Park, KS , Nancy (Troy) Laflin of Overland Park, KS , seven grandchildren,
Justin (Megan) Kannard, Jennifer (Mark)Turney , Janna (Garett) Schmitt, Taylor (Jared) Kaunley ,
Kristen (Greg) Hildebrand , Samantha Laflin (Fiancé Tom Pearce), and Tyler (Emily) Laflin, and 11
Great Grandchildren and 1 more on the way.

A funeral service will be held on Monday February 3, 2025, at 11am at Heritage United Methodist
Church 12850 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66213 with Rev. Glen Shoup officiating. Interment
will be at Resurrection Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS immediately following the service.
The family will greet friends prior to the service with a visitation on Monday February 3, 2025, at
10am at Heritage United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to KC Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road,
Kansas City, MO 64145, Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Road, Fairway, KS
66205 or Heritage United Methodist Church, 12850 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66213.
Friends are welcome to attend the graveside service and return to the church Fellowship Hall for
lunch with the family.

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Diane Zeleny

1 year ago

Cindy and family, my sympathy at the loss of your sweet ” mom”. She certainly led a busy and interesting life. God Bless❤️🙏

David Edgell

1 year ago

Alicia, Cindy, and Nancy – I am so sorry for your loss. She and Chaunce helped so much after my mother’s passing and I have such great memories of her at family gatherings. She will always be missed.

Delaina Melton

1 year ago

She sounds like an amazing women! Our condolences to all! To Nancy & Troy, Sam & Tyler we are praying for you during this difficult time!!

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Joan

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M. Weber Family

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O'Brien's

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A. Koch

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MHD

Dad has commented several times since mom's passing how her Celebration of Life was such a nice tribute to her and how grateful he was for that process to be handled so smoothly.

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With much gratitude and love,

Vicki and family

Cathy Boomer has a very calming influence and sense of peacefulness about her, even in the most emotional situations. She handled all the details of my mother's passing and funeral with professional dignity. She was unobtrusive but in control of all the little details and we, as a family, relied on her with immense satisfaction.

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