NEWTON, N.C. - Tonya Poovey Rice, 56, of Newton passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem.

She was born May 3, 1965 in Zephyrhills, Fla. to the late Wayne Lee Poovey and Gloria Berry Poovey. Tonya spent her life being a caregiver for others.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Trudy P. Hucks; and granddaughter, Lucy Call.

Those left to cherish her memory is her husband of 13 years Mark Rice Sr. of the home; daughters Brandi Queen and husband Josh of Newton, Brittany Davis and fiancé Chris Chapman of Newton, Amber Call and husband Luke of Hamptonville, Jessica Clark and husband Jeremy of Maiden; stepdaughter Ashley Rice of Granite Falls; stepson Andrew Rice and wife Katherine of Granite Falls; sisters Sandy Huffman of Maiden, Tammy Wright of Hickory, Tabitha Poovey of Conover; grandchildren Elisha and Ethan Queen, Gracin Bauer, Bain and Davis Johnson, LJ Call, Leah Davis, Alyssa and Aria Call, Emmett and Elena Clark, Esmé Potter, Trinity, Sarah and Odin Rice.

A memorial service to celebrate Tonya’s life will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Bennett Funeral Service, 7878 NC Hwy 16, Newton. Rev. Tommy Young will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Service.

Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, 128 S Tryon St #1588, Charlotte, NC 28202 or American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023

Condolences may be sent to the Rice family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com

Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, N.C. is serving the Rice family.