Maxine Brice

Maxine Elizabeth Brice, 83, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at Jackson Manor Nursing home.

She was born May 28, 1931, in Denver to John A. and Loretta M. Hensgen Lloyd. She and John Thomas "Tom" Brice were married Dec. 22, 1972, at the Newman Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

Maxine grew up in the Midwest and graduated high school in Brookfield, Missouri. She received a bachelor of arts degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, with a double major in Spanish and music. She earned a master of arts degree in Spanish, graduating summa cum laude, from Notre Dame University.

She was a Catholic nun in the order of the Sisters of Humility of Mary 20 years. "Sister Mary Carol," her religious name, was a professor at Ottumwa Heights College and also spent three years as a missionary in the mountains near Quito, Ecuador, learning from the people so she could better teach about the Lord.

In 1971, after a lengthy period of prayer and discernment, she left the convent and moved to Cape Girardeau. She was a legal secretary for Jackson, Thomason, Dickerson and Gilbert several years, then taught Spanish at Cape Girardeau public schools 20 years. In her retirement years, she could be recognized by her smile and friendly, helpful disposition as a well-known greeter at the Jackson Wal-Mart.

Maxine was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, where she belonged to St. Ann's Sodality and volunteered in many capacities. For many years Maxine was an accompanist and cantor for the church where she enjoyed music with her heart and soul. She served her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with a loving, caring and compassionate heart. This was evident in the manner she served others. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her loving husband of more than 42 years, Tom of Jackson; a brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Karen Lloyd of Cape Girardeau; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Carol Brice of Jackson; a cousin, Sharon Cole of Denver; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant sister, Mary Elaine Lloyd, and a brother, John A. Lloyd Jr.

The following services will be held March 23 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson:

At 6:10 p.m., St. Ann's Ladies Sodality will lead a rosary. Immediately following, the Rev. John Harth will celebrate a memorial Mass.

Memorials are suggested to Birthright, 2633 Hopper Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Cremation accorded by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.