Stephen Edward Rice March 26, 1947 - September 30, 2023

Stephen Edward Rice, age 76 of Cape Fair, Missouri, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2023, in his home. He was born March 26, 1947, in Cumberland, Maryland, the son of Cornelius and Joan (Weaver) Rice. Stephen proudly served in the United States Air Force from September 9, 1966 and he was honorably discharged in July 16, 1970. He was a member of Edgewater Community Church, Cape Fair, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Cindy Rice; his three children Christopher Rice and wife Roni, Emily Dallas and husband Jonathan, Nick Rice and wife Tracy; grandchildren Cassidylyn and husband Brandon, James and Thomas; three great grandchild Paxton, Brodey and Bailey; two step-children Rebekah Moxey and Billy Patterson and wife Jamie; six step-grandchildren Alyssa, Michael, Madelyn, Mason, McKayla and William.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents and step-daughter Sarah Arnett.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, October 6, 2023 in Edgewater Community Church, Cape Fair, Missouri with Pastor Harold Barnette and Pastor Lloyd Hart officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at 1:00 P.M. at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri. Services under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, Missouri. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.

Final Thoughts by Stephen Rice

Stephen Rice had a love for his country and music. He loved to make people laugh with his unique sense of humor. On September 30, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, Stephen Edward Rice went to Heaven. Shortly before he passed away, he managed to write his own words of parting from this world which gives an insight into his sense of humor.

Stephen shared one final thought it’s good to be a little insane in this life. It gives you an edge when dealing with “normal” people. If you lived your life the best you could and treated those around you fairly and lovingly, you won’t need to say a word to part this life. Fond remembrances will automatically be conveyed at your parting ceremony and loved ones will miss you accordingly. This is why I am still working on my parting statement, in hopes that my children will have a fond remembrance of who I was in my life and also, why I made them eat their vegetables.

I am a Christian. I am still a religious “work in progress” because of my daily mistakes. But I firmly believe in Jesus Christ and the one true God and his mercy and forgiveness, of my lack luster and poor human quality. I want my final thought to have the appropriate impact and meaning as I start to lose consciousness, I want to exclaim “Really??” I get to haunt any of them? Cool !!