Camilla L. Rice made her final journey home on April 9, 2023. “Miz Camilla,” as she had come to be known by many, was born in Opelika to Brady and Lucille Long on Feb. 20, 1929.
She attended Auburn High School, ultimately graduating from Massey-Draughon Business College, Holiday Inn University in Memphis, Tennessee, where she learned the art of hotel management and many classes with the American Real Estate Institute, holding a real estate broker’s license for over 30 years.
In her 94-plus years, she witnessed many changes, but stayed up-to-date with technology such that she continued her work in accounting, bookkeeping and property management, until finally retiring at the age of 90. She was a member of First Methodist Church of Opelika. She loved to garden, read, knit and, over the years, take special care of her many animals, most of which carried an “extra pound or two.” She passed early on Easter morning, 63 years to the day after her husband Clarence E. “Fritz” Rice.
She is survived by her sister, Jane Long Capps (Billy) of Opelika; three children: Colleen Pippin of Tustin Ranch, California; Arlyn R. Sibille (Etienne) of Mono, Ontario, Canada; and John W. Rice (Rebecca) of Opelika; eight grandchildren: J. Brandon Rice (Kelli) of Auburn; Ian R. Sibille of Harmony, Pennsylvania; Matthew Blake Rice (Nicki) of Opelika; Rylen O. Crews (Jamie) of Opelika; Natasha Pippin of Tustin Ranch, California; Katia Pippin of Tustin Ranch, California; John Will Rice, of Heidelberg, Germany; and Jonah W. Rice, of Auburn; and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 13, at 1 p.m. in the parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.
A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home with the Rev. Rick Lane officiating. Burial will be at Garden Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Lee County Humane Society may be made in her name.
Frederick- Dean Funeral Homes servicing Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers is handling arrangements.
