Helen Joyce Poore Rice

Helen Joyce Poore Rice passed away peacefully in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on July 10, 2026, two days after celebrating her 86th birthday. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, faithful friend, and lifelong educator whose warmth, humor, and unwavering love for her family touched everyone who knew her.

Helen was born on July 8, 1940, to Harold and Helen Poore in the small town of Frederica, Delaware. Although two infant brothers preceded her in death, Helen grew up as the only surviving child of parents whose love and encouragement far outweighed their modest means. Surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, many of whom were lifelong residents of the Frederica area, she treasured the closeness, traditions, and sense of community that defined her childhood. Throughout her life, she spoke fondly of those early years, recalling family gatherings, country life, and especially the Christmas traditions that created some of her happiest memories.

Although her family lived modestly, her parents encouraged her to dream beyond their small town and to pursue every educational opportunity available to her. An eager learner and excellent student, Helen graduated a year early from Caesar Rodney High School and earned a full scholarship to the University of Delaware, where she majored in Education and minored in Music.

A talented pianist with a beautiful singing voice, she performed in church choirs, school choral groups, and musical theater productions throughout high school and college. Music remained a constant source of joy throughout her life. She was almost always singing, humming, or playing the piano, and was even known to break into an impromptu dance in the occasional store, much to the embarrassment of her teenage daughters.

While at the University of Delaware, she met the love of her life, Ken Rice, while waiting in line at the campus bookstore. Despite the fact that Ken failed to offer the pretty young woman behind him in the long line, with a giant armful of books, a chance to go ahead of him, Helen still agreed to go on a date with him. Three years later they were "pinned," and shortly thereafter they eloped to Elkton, Maryland, on March 9, 1961.

Shortly after their wedding, Helen traveled throughout Europe performing in the musical Carousel at USO installations, sharing her beautiful singing voice with American service members stationed overseas. She graduated from Delaware that summer and later received her Master's degree in Elementary Education from Temple University in Philadelphia, where she and Ken started their life together.

Whether she was teaching in Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, or Georgia, Helen brought enthusiasm, creativity, and genuine affection to every classroom. Fourth grade was her favorite, and generations of students remember a teacher who was animated, funny, honest, and deeply invested in each child's success.

Helen and Ken were married for 65 years and had two children, Helen and Lydia. Although Ken's career required the family to move often, from Pennsylvania to Connecticut, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, and ultimately to Sandy Springs, Georgia in 1994, Helen had a remarkable gift for making each new house feel like home. Wherever they lived, she quickly found a church family, built lasting friendships, and created traditions that made each place special. She had an extraordinary gift for making every person in her family feel safe, cared for, and deeply loved.

Family was always Helen's first priority, and becoming a grandmother was one of her life's greatest joys. She retired from teaching at age 60 when her first grandson was born and happily devoted the next 26 years to helping raise her three grandsons and granddaughter. She delighted in answering every one of their questions, attending their games, performances, and milestones, encouraging every new interest, celebrating every accomplishment, and making each grandchild feel uniquely known and deeply loved.

Christmas was her masterpiece. She delighted in creating and honoring traditions, decorating the house, finding thoughtful gifts, and filling every holiday with warmth, laughter, music, and memories her family will carry forward for generations.

Helen was witty, friendly, genuine, and quick to laugh. Her sincere interest in others made it easy to form deep and lasting friendships wherever she lived. Helen never underestimated the power of a handwritten note. She wrote hundreds, perhaps thousands, of letters and cards over the years, almost always keeping stationery and a pen within reach at the kitchen table. Whenever someone crossed her mind, she wrote to them. Her encouragement, gratitude, and friendship live on in countless handwritten notes that people have carefully saved through the years.

Her faith in Jesus Christ was the constant foundation of her life. She loved worshipping through music and spent many years singing in church choirs. She treasured the friendships she found through her church communities, especially and most recently her Senior Sunday School class at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. While her family finds comfort in knowing she is now in the presence of her Savior, her absence is deeply felt by all who loved her.

Her legacy lives on in the family she adored, the students she inspired, the friends she faithfully encouraged, and the countless lives made brighter simply because Helen was part of them.

Helen is survived by her husband, Ken; her daughters, Helen Lake (Dustin) and Lydia Conway (Scott); and her grandchildren, DJ Rice, Jeffrey Rice, Toby Conway, and Grant Conway.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Dunwoody United Methodist Church or your preferred house of worship.