Gladys C Rice

Glady Thomas Rice, the eighth of eleven siblings, was born January 28, 1928, in Bradenton, Florida, to the late Sadie and Floyd Thomas. She lived her entire life in Bradenton, Florida where she joined the Church of God in Unity (later renamed Truth Bible Church of God) under the pastorship of Elder Fred W. Wesly. She devoted her life to serving and pleasing God. She served in many capacities at the church until her health would no longer permit her to serve. Even though as a little girl she had to drop out of school to assist her family; she when back to school to get educated and learn what she did not have an opportunity to when she was a little girl. Gladys would help any and everyone she could. She fed many in Manatee County without ever asking them to pay her. After a life of service to her community, church, and family God whispered in her ear that it was time, that her work on earth was done. On February 28, 2023, at 12:04 p.m. Gladys departed this earthly life. Gladys was preceded in death by many of her siblings: Willie J., Bud Luster, Elouise, Floyd Jr., Sadie B., Naomi, Josephus, Flossie Lee, and Ferman. She was also preceded by three of her sons: Theodore Thomas, Leonard Williams (Remonia), and Johnny Goodman (Delphine). Both of her husbands also preceded her in death: Eddie Axon and Rufus Rice. She leaves to cherish her memory one sister, Juanita Hines; three daughters: Veleta Dewalt, Diane Dowling, and Cynthia Washington (Wayne); one son, Michael Axon. Fifteen grandchildren: Johnita Murray, Nicole Washington, Cassandra Evans, Katrina Goodman, Ceceila Washington, Roy Murray Jr., Shaquanda Goodman, Johnita Goodman, Keishanna Thomas, Tiara Cheaves, Sadie Goodman Ivory, Tyeshanna Thomas, and Avery Williams. In addition to an abundance of other relatives and friends who were blessed to have known her.

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