Betty Grice May 27, 1924 - October 20, 2022

Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Grice

On Thursday, October 20, 2022, Elizabeth Jane (Maney) Grice “Betty”, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, peacefully departed this life and went to be with the Lord. She was 98 years old. Betty was born on May 27, 1924, in Newport News, Virginia, the daughter of Morton M. and Nancy Agnes (Walker) Maney.

Betty’s childhood started on a humble farm in Virginia. As a young teen her family moved to Northborough, Massachusetts, where she graduated from high school. Betty was a proud WWII veteran. She was in the WAVES (U.S. Navy — “Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service”), where she served an administrative role in Admiral King’s office in Washington, D.C.  During the war she met and married her first husband in 1944, U.S. Marine Guy Z. Moore, Jr., who was killed in the line of duty. They had a son, William Guy Moore, who died as an infant.

Betty married Daniel Grice of Taunton, MA, in 1954. Throughout her life, she worked in a variety of roles ranging from technical writer to office administrator, retiring when she was “only” 80 so she could battle and beat breast cancer. Through many job-related moves, she and Dan left a legacy of friendships across Massachusetts, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and her longest home in Missouri. Betty and Dan’s daughter, Charlotte, was born in 1959. Beyond being family, Betty and Charlotte have had the rich delight of being close friends for decades. Betty loved to entertain, and every holiday and event was well celebrated with food and fellowship. Betty was generous and always helping others. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, needlework, sewing, gardening, Bible study, and volunteering at church. She passed many of these interests on to her family.

Betty valued faith, family, and education. She was smart and retained her memory and stories to the end. She was fiercely proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved going to their sports, music, scouts, church, and scholastic events. Her smile and her laughter are favorite memories. She was strong to the end, attending church just days before she passed.

Betty leaves behind her daughter, Charlotte A. Meany (James) of Des Peres, MO; her granddaughter, Elizabeth Ruth Pratt (Jacob) of Manchester, MO; her grandson, Jonathan James Meany (late Morgan) of St. Louis, MO; her great grandchildren, Lillian, Michael, and Isabelle Pratt of Manchester, MO; many cousins, nieces, and nephews to whom she was known as “Sis” or “Aunt Sissy”. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 38 years, Daniel Grice; her beloved sister Nancy A. Pantazis (James) and brother William Maney (Jane), all of Northborough, MA. What a beautiful life!

Services:  A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 6:00 pm, at Southgate Church, 9820 East Watson Road, Crestwood, MO 63126. You are free to dismiss quickly, but we’d love it if you could stay following the service for a time of fellowship and greeting each other over her favorites: strawberry shortcake and coffee. Bring a one-liner story to share with the group if you’d like—she enjoyed that at many services throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

• Sheltering Wings for Matt ( http://take-action.sheltering-wings.com/Matt )
• Community Bible Study ( https://www.communitybiblestudy.org/vdonor/donor-class.html?segmentCode=0365&projectCodes=P0365|C0365|LAC%20:%20NI&classname=ST%20LOUIS%20MID%20COUNTY%20-%20MO )
• Missouri Botanical Gardens ( https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/donate/commemorative-giving )