Carley Wintford Rice

1936 - 2025

Carley Wintford Rice, 88, passed away on Monday, June 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.

A salt-of-the-earth country boy with a cowboy soul, Carley moved through life with a quiet strength rarely seen today. He found joy with his cherished family, in the land he tended, the hymns he sang, and the laughter he shared. He shone brightest when a song was on his lips or when a smile resulted in his teasing wit. He had a saying for everything, and when things didn't go as planned, he'd just tip his hat and say, "Well, that's how the mop flops."

Carley was born on July 22, 1936, in Harrogate, Tennessee, to Charles and Rose Rice. He grew up in a loving home alongside his sisters Gerline, Shirley, Jeanie, Wanda, and Dorothy and his brothers Harley, Arbie, Frank, and Joey.

In 1956, Carley married the love of his life, Lula Ruth Gibson. Together, they shared 63 years of marriage and raised six children: Debra, Danny, Dennis, Diana, David, and Dusty. Carley and Lula instilled deep Christian values and an abiding love in their family. After Carley retired from Ford Motor Company, they moved to Missouri in 1993. Carley was especially proud of his time at Ford, and if he had his Ford hat on, you could be sure to hear a word or two about its virtues.

Carley was a man always in motion, finding purpose in every hour of the day. Whether he was managing his cows, cutting wood, scraping for extra cash, or simply lending a hand to a friend, Carley rarely sat still. But when he did slow down, it was usually over a good cup of coffee and a conversation. He loved meeting for a meal and was often known to quietly pick up the check, a small way he loved to indulge his friends and family.

Deeply rooted in faith, Carley and Lula were active members of their church community and spent much of their lives singing for the Lord. One of their greatest joys was visiting nursing homes and local events, sharing their voices and their hearts through gospel music.

He leaves behind his children, Debra (Michael) Baker, Danny Rice, Dennis (Gail) Rice, Diana (Phil) Graham, David (Michelle) Rice and Dusty (Shawnie) Rice; grandchildren, Crystal Pierce, Amber Pierce, Joshua Rice, Bethany Rice, Carlie Rice, Jeremy Rice, Jenna Rice, Jared Rice, April Morris, Pete Morris, Brittany Reid, Jewel Rice, and Marilyn Rice; great-grandchildren, Harper, Asher, Skyler, Aria, Azriel, Angel, A.J., Will, Destiny, and Devin; siblings, Shirley, Jeanie, Wanda, Arbie. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Gerline, Dorothy, Harley, Frank, and Joey.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, June 13, at the Butler Funeral Home in Humansville. Services for Carley will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Full Gospel Church in Humansville. Interment will immediately follow the service on Saturday at the Humansville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.