Joseph "Joey" Wayne Rice

Joseph "Joey" Wayne Rice, 55, formerly of Morehead City, beloved son, brother, nephew, and cousin, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023, at his home in Harrellsville.

His memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 11th at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City. He will be laid to rest privately at Gethsemane Memorial Park in Newport. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home's website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.

Joseph, known to his friends and family as Joey, was born on April 26, 1968, in Morehead City, North Carolina. He was a devout Christian, having accepted Jesus early in life. His greatest joy was to worship and witness his Lord, even though he struggled with mental challenges throughout the years.

Joey was a good student and friend to all who knew him. During his working years, he was a landscaper and roofer. His hobbies included baseball, football, fishing, and swimming, also dancing in his teenage years.

Joey was happiest when stopping by to have lunch with his grandmother, Hilda Vinston. They loved each other deeply and had a special bond. The oldest of her grandchildren, he was just "a little bit" spoiled.

Talking with his mother each day, he would always begin his conversation with, "Hey honey, how are you?"

Joey was also deeply loved by his aunt, Cindy Gould, and his uncle, Clifford, and aunt, Polly. His aunt Cindy was there for him his whole life. When he was little, she carried him around on her hip like he was her doll baby. Through the difficult years, she was a constant source of help and inspiration for him and his mother. They shared many wonderful times and home-cooked meals together.

Joey had a special love for his Uncle Terrell and his parents, Captain Leroyal Gould his and wife, Mrs. Riller. Joey would help Captain Leroyal clean his boat while Mrs. Riller cooked him up some of the best seafood he ever had.

Many thanks to all who showed him acts of kindness and help throughout his years. The memory of his smile, his kind, sweet gentle nature, and sparkling laughing brown eyes, and that funny giggle will always be remembered. Be at peace son, with your Savior, we will be reunited with you to live eternally in His presence. Your mama loves you!

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his mother, Thelma Barselow of Morehead City; brother, Todd Alan Barselow of Davao City, Philippines; uncle, Clifford Smith of Morehead City; aunts, Cindy Gould of Morehead City and Polly Conway of Abbeville, LA; niece, Mandolyn Barselow of Davao City, Philippines; and loving cousins in Morehead City and Louisiana.

Joey was preceded in death by his father, Robert Donald Rice, and step-father, Edward Romeo Barselow.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.