Funeral services for Judy Elaine Rice, 73, of Lufkin, Texas, will be held Monday, September 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin with Father Denzil Vithanage officiating. Interment will follow at Wallace Chapel Cemetery in Lufkin.

          Mrs. Rice was born on February 11, 1953, in Elizabeth Town, Kentucky, to  the late Ira Jewell Slinkers, Jr. and the late Mildred (Conover) Slinker, and died Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Lufkin.

          Judy went to school to become a beautician and enjoyed sewing and other crafts. She loved spending time with her kids and grandkids, and her family was the most important thing in her life. 

          She is survived by her husband, Robert Rice; daughter and son-in-law, Dianna and Keith Snyder of Zavalla, Texas; daughter, Joanna Noel of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Cynthia Geaheart of Greensburg, Indiana; daughter and son-in-law, Evelyn and James Cruz of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Sean and Alex Rice of Lufkin; daughter, Aaliyah Rice of Huntington; 18 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Paula Clayton, brother-in-law and wife, Paul and Tameshia Deaton; and brother-in-law, Carl Rice.

          Mrs. Rice was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jason Wayne Gearheart; sister, Emma Jewell Slinker; brother, Ira Jewell Slinker; and brother, Michael Myers.

          Pallbearers will be Steven Nobles, Seth McKenzie, Micah Snyder, Carl Rice, Doug Deaton, and Emilliano Cruz.

          Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Carroll and James Zefrino Cruz.

          Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Shafer Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.