Mary Joan Rice of Charleston, Arkansas, passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at her home. She was born on January 20, 1939, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to the late Jack Sherwood Harris Vaughn and Lela Evelyn (Schlieff) Vaughn. She was 87 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Connie Rice; and three brothers, John C. 'Jackie' Vaughn, Jimmy Vaughn, and Zelmer 'Sonny' Wilson.

Joanie graduated high school at Frankfort American High School in Germany. For many years, Joanie was a seamstress and a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Charleston. She was loved by her family very much and will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 23rd at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with Pastor Artie Hudson officiating. Burial will follow at Parks Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

She is survived by her husband of almost 67 years, Dale Rice; her children, Dana Rainwater and husband Jerry and David Rice and wife Tammy, all of Charleston; a sister, Lela Joyce Krusey and husband Tim of Summerville, South Carolina; (8) grandchildren, Heath Rainwater and wife Erika, Gina Millican and husband Chad, Chase Rainwater and wife Dawn, Caleb Rainwater and wife Brenna, Darren Hice and wife Brittney, Abby Davis and husband Ryan, Lauren James and husband John, and Paige Sampley and husband Austin; (23) great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Norma Kay Vaughn, June Vaughn Law, and Alta Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Haden Rainwater, Jayger Rainwater, Dylan Rainwater, Ethan Millican, Landon Jones, and Carver Sampley.

Honorary pallbearers are James Goen, Gene Brown, Reed Haynes, Jim West, Howard Gossett, Travis Ballard, Gene Alvin Robertson, and Charles Bohannan.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.