Laura Lee Rice

LAURA LEE RICE, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on January 27, 2023 at the young age of 39, surrounded by her parents and brother. Laura Lee was born March 27, 1983 in Birmingham, to Carla and Grantland Rice. Her parents and older brother, Grant Rice, were members of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, and she attended St. Mark United Methodist Church preschool in Vestavia for kindergarten 3 through 5K. She then joined her brother at Southminster Day School in Vestavia for first through third grades.

The summer following her 3rd grade, the family was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia. There she attended elementary school for 2 years, at which time she quickly made new friends, and found one of the two passions in her life. She fell in love with swimming, excelled in that sport, and won many ribbons and trophies in swim meets held on the tri-county level.

The summer following her 5th grade, the family was once again transferred, this time to Montgomery, Alabama. There she attended, along with her brother, St. James School, from which she graduated in 2001. During these years she continued with her passion of swimming and continued to compete in swim meets. Once she turned 16, she became a lifeguard and taught lessons to young swimmers. It was at St. James that Laura Lee realized after playing the piano, attempting gymnastics and tennis, that there was another talent more suited to her persona. She was extremely talented in art. And her love of art carried throughout her life, along with swimming, until she passed away. Her special talent was painting, as well as a variety of other forms of art. She created and gifted to family and friends everything from Christmas tree ornaments, Hallmark-worthy cards, hand drawn calendars to paintings. For this she will be remembered by her family and friends and all those who were close and dear to her heart.

Her final educational career finished in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama, with a major in Psychology. She was in the first class selected for the Blount Initiative and resided for 2 years in their newly constructed Blount dormitory. She was a member of Tri-Delta sorority. Laura Lee moved back to her birthplace after graduation from UA and pursued various careers which were always centered around jobs that engaged her creativity.

She was a member of Avondale United Methodist Church, where she found peace and comfort. She is survived by her parents, Carla Terry Rice Enslen (Frederick), Grantland Hammond Rice (Leila), by her best friend and partner-in-crime, her brother, Grantland Terry Rice, and her three nephews, Nathan, Paul & William Rice, who all loved her fiercely.

The family would like to especially thank UAB Hospital in Birmingham for the dedicated, professional and compassionate care given to Laura Lee preceding her death. Words cannot express our gratitude.

The family will receive friends and family on Friday, the 10th of February, to celebrate her life, with visitation at 12:30 pm, followed by her memorial service beginning at 1:30 pm at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL, with Reverend Malinda J Weaver of Avondale United Methodist Church and Reverend Lauren Banks of Christ Church in Alexandria,Virginia officiating. Burial will be held privately for the family at Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Avondale United Methodist Church, 500 40th St S, Birmingham, AL 35222, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Parkinson Association, or any charity of your choice.