Wanda June (Malone) Rice

Charlotte, North Carolina 

June 8, 1938~ January 23, 2025

Wanda June Rice, 86, passed on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Wanda June Malone Rice, born on June 8, 1938, in Johnson City, TN., was called home on January 23, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the age of 86.

Wanda received her formal education in Johnson City, Tennessee, and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She later joined the Job Corps,  becoming one of the first Black women to be accepted into the program. Throughout her career, she achieved many firsts, paving the way for others at LASCOS, Public Service Electric and Gas Co., and New Jersey Transit, where she ultimately retired. Her professional journey was one of pioneering achievements, resilience, and triumph.

Affectionately known as “Ma-Ma”, “Aunt Wanda”, and many other terms of endearment, Wanda brought unconditional love and grace to everyone who knew her. She lived every day bringing joy to the lives of others through acts of kindness, compassion and empathy. Her unwavering faith in God was her spiritual compass, used to provide guidance to the many people who sought it.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eloise Malone, siblings, Sylvester, Sherrill, Albert, Cecil, Rose, and Othello. She is survived by sisters, Lois and Joyce, brother, Allen Lee Morris, two daughters, Alice (Joseph) and Michelle, two grandsons, Chris (Christina) and  Nasir, two great-granddaughters, Zari and Morgan, nieces, nephews, cousins and an abundance of friends who loved her dearly.

Wanda took great pride in sharing her knowledge of family history, recipes, spiritual insight and hysterical one-liners with the younger generations. Countless family members and friends have had the privilege of being taught valuable lessons by Wanda, whether in the Bible or at the poker table. While her physical presence will be painfully missed, her wisdom and her spirit will live on forever in the people she loved and who loved her.

A Memorial Service to Celebrate the life of Wanda will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Cremation Society of Charlotte Chapel, 4300 Statesville Road, Charlotte, NC 28269. The Memorial Service will start at 2:00pm.

The Rice Family have entrusted arrangements to Cremation Society of Charlotte.

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