Arthur Mae Rice

Arthur Mae was born August 28, 1940 to the union of Arthur Leroy Winford (deceased) and Novella Mariah Currence Winford (deceased). She was raised with five other siblings, Gladys Winford Stephenson (Roosevelt), Evelyn Winford Davis, Arthur Lee Winford ((deceased) Gwendolyn), Mary Magdalene Winford DeGraffenriedt, Ella Mae Winford Miller (Lloyd (Deceased)). Arthur Mae had two first cousins born the same year as she. The cousins, Sarah Leach (deceased) and Barbara Jean Bennett Neely (Deceased) were her lifetime friends.

LEARNING

Arthur Mae was a 1958 Honor graduate of Dudley High School. She graduated from A and T State College (now A and T University) with a BS degree in Food and Nutrition with a minor in chemistry. She received an MS degree from the University of Delaware, where she also received ADA certification and received RD status from American Dietic Association .

FAITH

She met and married the love of her life, James O. Rice, Jr. She was a faithful servant of God and the Christian Ministry. This service began at an early age of 8 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC where she sang in the children choir and then in the junior choir. She gave her life to God at a Baptist Revival at age 13. She also served as a Deaconess in her later life at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. In her lifetime she held membership in many of God’s churches in the cities where she lived: AME Zion in Wilmington, DE, St. Paul Baptist Church and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (where she sang in the senior choir) in West Chester, PA., Shiloh Baptist Church and Holy Trinity Episcopal in Greensboro, NC. Mae considered her greatest accomplishment was the authorship of two volumes of “God in Waiting, Moments of Inspirations”. To date the books are in many cities across the USA and in Africa. The books were not sold but were given away.

WORK

Her first professional employment was in nutrition administration at Farnhurst Hospital in Wilmington, DE, a1500 bed facility. Later she was on staff at the University of Delaware in the school’s nutrition service. When she moved to West Chester, PA she became a Food Service Administrator at Rush Hospital. After this position she was employed by American Medicorp on the regional level over several hospitals and Nursing Homes, traveling, giving advice, teaching, overseeing nutrition of 48 owned facilities from her base at Bala Cynwyd, PA. She later served as Hospital Administrator at the Tri-County Hospital in Springfield, PA. She served as president of the Middle Atlantic Society for Hospital Dietary Directors where she was awarded commemorations. She participated in the annual convention of Food Service Professionals and gave the Annual Educations Closing Speeches at the Cherry Hill Inn, in New Jersey. She further established a Nutrition Hotline and worked with callers’ Doctors prior to consultation.

COMMUNITY

Mae was very much involved in civic work such as Family Services and was celebrated for her civic duties by Milton Shapp, Governor of Pennsylvania.

She was a member of the Iota Tau Omega chapter of AKA, the Delaware Valley chapter of The Links,Inc., The Philadelphia Eastern Star Association, The Jack and Jill Club of America, Delaware Valley Chapter of the Continental Societies, Inc., the Triad-Rowan Chapter of the Continental Societies, Inc. which she founded, The Triad-Rowan Novella Winford Scholarship Charity, LLC which she founded with her sister Mary Magdalene Winford DeGraffenriedt, The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. where she was presented The Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award by the local club in West Chester, PA. She spearheaded an effort that integrated a grade-school in New Castle, DE. Mae was also crafty in home decor and recipes and many sought her advice. Arthur Mae is listed in “Who’s Who in the East” 17th Edition 1979-1980.

SUNSET

Arthur Mae Winford Rice went to her heavenly home on October 23, 2023. Many knew her as Mae, her sons called her mother, and grandchildren called her Nana. Mae leaves a loving and caring husband, James Oliver Rice of sixty three years. Two sons, Anthony G. Rice (Kimberly) and Rev. Michael C. Rice (Vanessa), Five grandchildren, Joshua, Vic, Elijah, Samuel, and Naomi, Three God daughters, Dana Bowers Willis, Sabrina Glascoe, and Jackie O’Neal, and Three Special Daughters, Lisa Hudgins-George, Lynna Tucker-King, Lady E. (Elthil) Tucker-Williams. She is also survived by four sisters (noted above) and a host of relatives, and friends.

SERVICE

Shiloh Baptist Church of Greensboro

1210 South Eugene Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27406

There will be an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority service starting at 11:00am. The visitation begins at 11:20am until 12pm. Funeral Service will begin at 12pm with a Repass to follow.

Graveside servicers will be held at 11:00am on Monday October 30, 2023 at Lakeview Memorial Park Cemetery.

Flowers are welcome at the service or memorials may be made to the following:

Shiloh Baptist Church of Greensboro

Mail your donation to the church office:

1210 South Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC 27406, US

Or send via Cash App $shilohbcgso

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Greensboro

https://onrealm.org/holytrinitync/-/give/now