Thomas Levin Ryce

Services: There will be a funeral service on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 10:00 AM in Dent Chapel in Charlotte Hall, MD with Bishop Stephen Charles Reber officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens. Visitation: Public visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday, February 7, 2005 from 4 - 8 PM with prayers being said at 7:00 PM Rev. Thomas Levin "Tommy" Ryce, Sr., 73, of Mechanicsville, MD died on February 5, 2005 in Mechanicsville, MD. Born October 22, 1931 in Mechanicsville, MD he was the son of the late Catherine Wood Ryce and Everett G. Ryce. He was preceded in death by his wife Joan Marie Nelson Ryce on August 8, 1999 in Leonardtown, MD, whom he married on July 5, 1952 in Trinity Episcopal Church, Charles County. He is survived by his children; John Francis Ryce, Sr. of Morganza, MD, James David Ryce, Sr. of Bushwood, MD, Sharon Lee Johnson, Thomas L. Ryce, Jr., Paula Jane Ching and Stephen Patrick Ryce, Sr. all of Mechanicsville, MD, brother; David Walter Ryce of Leonardtown, MD, sisters; Barbara Jean Buckler of Charlotte Hall, MD, Anna Bea Copsey of Mechanicsville, MD, Virginia E. Stanard of CT and Mary Agnes Jameson of Hughesville, MD, grandchildren; Missy Payne, Brenda Hill, Marty Johnson, Tommy Ryce, III, Amy Ryce, Brandon Thompson, Angie Dean, Johnny Ryce, Jr., Debra Ryce, Tracy Phillips, JD Ryce, Jr., Samantha Brown, Crystal Ching, Megan Ching, Robby Ching, Leslie Kave Ryce, Michael Kave Ryce, Stevie Ryce, Jr., Jessie Ryce and Shawn Ryce, great grandchildren; Britni Bowles, Kyle Hill, Haley Payne, Dylan Payne, Lexi Ryce, Tommy Ryce, IV, Felicia Ryce, Dustin Moran, Abby Moran, Billy Phillips and Kimberlee Cairns. He was also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters Marie Buckler, Mary Catherine Smith, Everett Guy Ryce, Jr., Robert K. Ryce, Margaret Ann Withers, Daniel Webster Ryce, Joyce Ann Morgan, Martha Jean Ryce and John Ryce, and two grandchildren Ashley Ryce and Krystal Ryce. Rev. Ryce attended Eastern High School and from there went to work for the State Highway Administration as a sign foreman until his retirement. He was also ordained a United Episcopal Priest and was the pastor of St. John's United Episcopal Church in Hollywood, MD. He was a self taught musician who loved playing the piano and the organ, he had a country band in previous years called "Tommy Ryce and the Melodaires" he loved to entertain people throughout Southern Maryland, DC and Virginia, he performed with artist such as Roy Clarke, Jimmy Dean and Buck Owens. He was also very spiritually active in community religions and functions. He loved his children, family gatherings and his church. The family will receive friends Monday, February 7 from 4 â?? 8 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home where prayers will be said at 7 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, February 8 at 10 AM in Dent Chapel in Charlotte Hall, MD with Bishop Stephen Reber officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Thomas Martin Johnson, Thomas L. Ryce, III, John Francis Ryce, Jr., James David Ryce, Jr., Robert Arnold Ching, Jr. and Michael A. Kave Ryce. Honorary Pallbearers will be Rod Nelson, Lewis Wathen, Eddie Payne, Jr., Bill Phillips, Robby Cairns, Claude Sparks, Tony Hill, William Miller, Timmy Buckler, Robby Bennett and Jerome Thomas. Contributions may be made to Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 15, Mechanicsville, MD 20659, Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or St. John's United Episcopal Church, 26415 North Sandgates Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659.