Wanda B. Rice transitioned from life to eternal rest on Jan. 3, 2025, with her family and friends by her side.

Born Wanda Faye Butts on Dec. 20, 1964, to the parentage of Ernest U. Butts and Ernestine Butts (Waller) in Milledgeville, Georgia. She received her formative education in the Baldwin County School System. She furthered her education at The University of Georgia, graduating in 1986. Wanda retired with 30-plus years of service with AT&T and often quoted that she worked in the "President's Office."

Even though she achieved a lot and was successful in life, her greatest accomplishment was accepting Jesus, living for Him, and having Sebastian as her son. Wanda loved her family — her parents, her sisters, and their offspring, and God blessed her to see her family extended with a daughter in love and two beautiful "grand" daughters and let us not forget her "fur babies."

Wanda joined Shiloh Baptist Church in Milledgeville, Georgia as a teenager. Later in life, she became a member of Hopewell North East under the tutelage of Pastor Gerard and Pastor Veta. Wanda loved her church family and served so well. She was a tremendous leader and supporter of the Women's Ministry, a Bible Study, and a Sunday School member. Her church family counted it an honor to support her during her extended illness.

Wanda was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and she cherished the bond she shared with her friends, some of over 40 years. She was a meticulous planner, organized, and also very crafty, making quilts, wreaths, and other items. In her spare time, she enjoyed baking, shopping, and going to estate sales.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ernest U. Butts. Cherished memories will remain in the hearts of her mother, Ernestine Butts, of Milledgeville; two sisters, Angela N. Butts of Stockbridge, Cynthia B. Forney (Haaziq) of Johns Creek; one son, Sebastian Yale Rice (Ashlynne) of Loganville, two grandchildren Kylynne Rice and Kallie Rice, two nephews Myles Forney and Justin Forney, her beloved fur babies Kinko and Kirby and a host of family and friends.