Melbie L. Rice

Melbie L. Rice, 79, passed away on June 23, 2023, at his home in Alliance, North Carolina after a brief but valiant battle with cancer.

Though Alliance was always Melbie’s home, his early-career work as a dredge operator took him around the world. His adventures included addresses in Al-Jubayl, Saudi Arabia; Nassau, The Bahamas; St. Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Following many years of service, he retired as a general foreman with PCS Phosphate, now Nutrien, in Aurora, North Carolina.

Melbie had a generous heart and was an active member of several religious charitable organizations. He dedicated over 50 years of service to the Bayboro Masonic Lodge #331 and helped found both the Pamlico County Shrine Club and Sudan Mourners. He belonged to the Sudan Shrine, York Rite, Scottish Rite and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Melbie was an avid collector of several items, including folding knives produced by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company and all things branded John Deere. He enjoyed much of his retirement hunting for bargains at flea markets and yard sales across North Carolina and delighted in showing his finds to family and friends. When Melbie was not at home, he could be found relaxing at his self-built mountain retreat in Clay County, North Carolina.

Melbie was a child of God and prayed each night for family and friends in Jesus’ name. His loved ones will remember his words of wisdom and homegrown figures of speech for generations, long after Melbie embarked on his own “Billy Richard’s last trip.”

He is preceded in death by his parents, John Elmo Rice and Lucynda Davenport Rice; stepmother, Virginia T. Rice; and siblings, Armore Rice, Shirley Gaskill, Frederick Rice, and Gloria Preston. Melbie’s beloved departed canine companion, J.J., brought him years of joy.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Millie I. Rice of Alliance, North Carolina; his sons, Johnny Rice (Jodi) and Rondall Rice (Annette); grandchildren, Joshua Rice (Allison), Jacob Rice (Courtney), Kathleen Rice (Gerardo Alvarado), Faith Rice (Devin Bell) and Rachel Rice; great-granddaughter, Emma Rice; brother Jason Rice (Lisa); and many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Melbie’s faithful dog, Jacy, remains loyal.

Visitation will be at Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home in Alliance, on Tuesday, June 27, at 10am, followed by a graveside service at Alliance Methodist Church cemetery at noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Melbie’s memory are welcome at the Bayboro Masonic Lodge #331 Building Fund c/o Eddie Norfleet, 1467 Cooper Rd., Bayboro, NC 28515, Hospice of Pamlico County, PO Box 6, Bayboro, NC 28515, or the Sudan Mourners, 634 Phillips Dr., Arapahoe, NC 28515.