Sarah Lee Wood Rice passed away on March 31, 2023, at the age of 85, with her husband at her side, in Hampton, Virginia at Hampton Rehab Center.

Sarah was born on April 27,1937, in Earlysville, Virginia, the youngest child of Lawrence Newton Wood and Sinie Ann Watson Wood.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents; and her grandparents, Oscar Jackson Wood and Stella Eudora Wood, Robert Lee Watson, and Sarah Margaret Dickerson Watson. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Grafton McNeil Wood and Winston Shelton Wood (Margaret) and by her sisters, Gloria McVeigh Wood Rickard (Clarence) and Evelyn Wayne Wood Hall.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, James Vernon Rice, who was steadfast in caring for her 24/7 for the last several years as her health started to decline. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Mary Wells Wood and Shirley Rice Pittman; her cousins, Marlene, Charlotte Ann and Marion Faye.

Sarah was a graduate of the first graduating class of Albemarle High School. Sarah was a military wife and traveled many places with her husband, when allowed, having lived in Washington, D.C., Florida, Alaska and Africa before retiring to Hampton, Virginia.

Sarah was a wonderful homemaker, maintaining an immaculate home and a perfectly landscaped lawn with beautiful flowers and a spectacular rock garden that was the envy of the neighborhood. Her lawn was once voted "the best on the block," making her very proud.

Sarah loved watching birds and made friends with several that would visit her kitchen window each morning. She also loved dogs and enjoyed spoiling and pampering many different breeds over the years.

Sarah was a natural artist and drew and painted many beautiful pictures that she shared with her family and friends. She worked at Grants for a while, having been hired for her creativeness to decorate their display windows.

Sarah loved rings, handbags, scarfs, reading, dark chocolate and the Royal Family.

She will be greatly missed by her remaining family, but she will be happily re-united with her heavenly family.

Per Sarah's request, there will be no formal service and her burial will be private.

Submitted by Sam Clarke and Mary Ann Robertson.