Lore Ann Rice

Lore Ann Rice, daughter of the late Lerlean Joiner Draper and Hugh White Vaughn, stepdaughter of Jean Vaughn and the late Jessie Draper, entered this life on April 29, 1961, in Oxford, MS.

Lore affectionately known as “Lo” to close family members and friends, enjoyed growing up with her sisters and brothers. She had a very loving and special relationship with each one of her siblings. She accepted Jesus as her savior at Harrisonville Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and later joined New Enon MB Church with her brother and pastor, Reverend Robert E. Vaughn. She enjoyed reading the bible, cooking, snacking throughout the day, drinking Folgers coffee, and watching her stories(soaps). Most importantly, she LOVED her family.

In her early years, Lore attended the Oxford School District Schools and later obtained her GED while in St. Louis, MO. During her time in St. Louis, she worked at the Jewish Center for the Aged (JCA) as a CNA for several years and later moved to Brooking Park where she obtained her CMT certification. She worked diligently for many years and provided an exceptional level of care and southern LOVE only she was known for. Lore served her patients for many years until she was no longer able to physically perform her responsibilities and later retired.

During her employment with The Jewish Center for the Aged, she met and married Larry Rice whom she loved in matrimony for 23 years. In their downtime they enjoyed dancing and listening to music while enjoying each other’s presence.

Lore departed this life on March 16th, 2023, at home in St. Louis, MO. Her life’s journey leaves her husband of 23 years, Larry Rice; three daughters, Mapula Mathis, Lakida Mathis and Katura (Jeremy) Dixon and one son Joe Willie (Jamie) Mathis III all of St. Louis, MO. Seventeen grandchildren, Anastasia Mathis, Latron Brown, Jacobi Gilliespie, Malik Gilliespie, Billy Adams, Damien Adams, Zaquoia Adams, Nakyia Mathis, Amara J. Mathis, Jeremy Dixon Jr., Kamarey Dixon, Kayden Dixon, Jayden Dixon, Kailey Dixon, Kaycey Dixon, Jaxon Dixon, Jordan Dixon of St. Louis, MO and Oxford, MS; one great-grandchild, Zariah Adams of Oxford MS; four brothers; Robert (Ruthie)Vaughn, Donald (Felicia) Draper, Jessie Carl (Mae Lois) Draper all of Oxford MS and Kenneth Draper of St. Louis, MO; four sisters, Janice Vaughn, Angela Vaughn, Pauletta Vaughn and Mary Vaughn, of Chicago, IL; a special friend, Joe W. Mathis Jr. of Oxford, MS; several uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host friends to celebrate her life’s journey.

Lore was preceded in death by one sister, Sherry Draper: four brothers, Ronald Draper, Christopher Draper, Willie Vaughn and Hugh Lamarr Vaughn Jr.