Grace DeWolf Trice, a third-generation Floridian, was born on September 29, 1925. She was born the third of four children to Nettie Louise Holley DeWolf and Levant Prior DeWolf, Sr. of Crescent City, Florida. She passed peacefully at Estelle’s House on February 13, 2023, at the age of ninety-seven.
She graduated from Crescent City High School and went on to graduate from Florida State University (formerly Florida State College for Women) majoring in home economics. Grace was active in the Wesley Foundation, the student council, and Delta Zeta sorority while at Florida State and married her husband, Bill Trice from New Smyrna Beach, Florida in 1946 prior to her graduation from FSU in 1947.
Grace began teaching at Reddick High School and later resumed her teaching career at Ft. King Junior High School in Ocala where she taught science for 27 years. Teaching is not all she did with her career in education. She is a lifetime member of the National Education Association, former Marion County Education Association president, former State Executive Board member, and a National NEA Delegate for many years. Grace was appointed three times by the Governor of Florida to serve on the State Education Standards Commission before retiring from teaching in 1992.
She was an active member of the Ocala First United Methodist Church for many years including teaching children and adult Sunday School classes as well as bible study programs.
Grace was also a member of other organizations including the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and she has continued her involvement with the Delta Zeta Sorority, Alpha Sigma Chapter since college.
Survivors include her children Fletcher Trice (Lourdesita), Linda Trice DeWolf (Ron Barefield), Bill Trice (Elaine), CDR Diane Trice USN (ret), and nine nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill Trice, her parents, her brother Levant DeWolf, Jr., and her sisters Viola Hovsepian and Mary Louise DeWolf.
Funeral Services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Ocala on Friday, February 24th at 2:00 PM, with Reverend Anne Fuquay officiating. A reception will be held immediately following at the Family Life Center. A private burial will be at the Edgewater Cemetery in Edgewater, Florida on Monday at 2:00 PM. Roberts of Ocala Funerals and Cremations will be handling funeral arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church at 1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Florida 34470 or to Hospice of Marion County at 3231 SW 34th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474.