Judy Ann Todd-Rice

The beautiful and sweet spirit of Judy Todd Rice, age 54, came to an untimely end on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at Gwinnett Medical Center, in Lawrenceville, GA, after a courageous battle with heart disease.

She was born on March 14, 1963 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur and Charles Sue Todd. Judy found Christ at an early age and united with Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where she became a member in her childhood years. Later on in life upon moving to Georgia, she became a member of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church located in Norcross, GA. There she served on the Nurses Guild for a period of time and taught Sunday School for the youth.

Education was very important to Judy. She graduated from Arkadelphia High School class of 1981. Right after high school Judy furthered her education with two years at SAU Tech in Camden, AR. She later moved to Little Rock, AR where she worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield and continued college at Philander Smith College where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

After accomplishing most of her short term goals, Judy felt a need for change. She packed up everything, including her Daddy, and moved to the state of Georgia. It wasn’t long after moving that Judy started her new career working at IBM as an accountant. Later on in life she met and married Benjamin Rice of Stone Mountain, GA. Unto this union two beautiful Daughters were born, Joia and Jada Rice.

Judy was an independent woman with a heart of Gold and a Go Getter personality. With her strong ambitious nature she began working for Virtual Properties as a Realtor in Suwanee, GA where she remained for over 18 years. At the same time, she also worked for Haverty’s Furniture Store as a sales associate in Duluth, GA where she remained for 8 years. Her children and her independence gave her the strength and will to work and accomplish all her goals.

Judy’s children were the light of her life. She was very active in her children’s activities. She attended CHHS ROTC events locally and distant. She served Leader for the Social Committee at Collins Hill High School Parent Booster Club. Judy was jokingly known as Coach Rice as she inserted herself in the high school and AAU coaching team. Judy was a people person. A woman who was very outgoing and seemed to never meet a stranger, this was Judy T. Rice. She brought random people, friends and associates together; that if they were a friend of Judy’s, you too became a friends of each other.

Judy leaves to cherish fond memories: her loving parents, Arthur and Charles Sue Todd of Arkadelphia, AR; 2 daughters Jada and Joia Rice both of Suwanee, G; 7 sisters, Denise (David) Sandage of Donaldson, AR, Shelia Williams, Charlotte Todd, Amanda (Brandon) Johnson, Patricia Wright and Barbara Ussery all of Arkadelphia, AR, Linda (Drew) Johnson of Dallas, TX; 7 brothers, Eddie (Beverly) Thomas of Texarkana, TX, Ollie (Cynthia) Ussery of Houston, TX, David Cooke of Hooks, TX, Julius Ussery, Carl Ussery, and William Battle all of Arkadelphia, AR and Earl (Phyllis) Battle of Dallas, TX; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2017 at Mitchell Funeral Home. Family hour is from 5 p.m.- 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church located at 1600 Caddo Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 where Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd is Pastor and will serve as eulogist. Rev. David Cooke, pastor of Maud First Baptist Church in Maud, TX will serve as officiant.

Burial will be at Helms Cemetery in Arkadelphia, AR.

Family and Friends Hour will be at Mitchell Funeral Home from 5 p.m.- 6 p.m.

The family has asked that all pallbearers and friends wear red in some way.

The Repast will follow interment at The Community Family Enrichment Center in Arkadelphia, AR.

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