Maxine Kanode Bice

On August 28th, 2025 (Laurane) Maxine Kanode Bice died peacefully in her sleep. She was a strong willed and bright 94-year-old.

Born to Roy Wyett Kanode and Lella Evans Costigan Kanode in 1931 on a farm outside of Christiansburg, Virginia. It was there that she gained an appreciation for cooking from her mother, livestock and management from her father. Later she would go on in the health field.

She is survived by her loving husband, Floyd Odel Bice, DDS; her sons David Byron Bice (Mary), Paul Weyet Bice (Shari); grandchildren, Michelle (Matt), David (Lara), Travis, Victoria, Nathanael (Kelsey), and Ruthanne; as well as great grandchildren, “Trace” or DBB III, Aurora, Micah, Mia, Macey and Ezra. She is further survived by her siblings, Helen (David), Patsy, Roy, and Debbie.

Maxine was predeceased by her oldest brother, Kenneth; her middle son, Daniel Odel Bice, whose wife Kitty is living and continues to enrich the family functions.

She attended Riner High School for one year; however, after moving into Christiansburg proper, graduated from Christiansburg High School. She continued her education at Radford University, earning an Associate’s degree. From Radford, she entered into the Medical College of Virginia, now VCU, where she met her husband to be, and completed her studies to earn her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.

She met Floyd Odel Bice at MCV, in 1954 after he finished a date with her roommate. She made him wait for a week before agreeing to a first date. They married in 1954. After marriage, each worked to complete their degrees, while residing in the Diesel Housing Project for post WWII medical/ dental students. Following graduation, the now Dr. Floyd Bice was obligated to take a position of service connected to the G.I. Bill. The couple selected the closest posting to Christiansburg, which turned out to be outside the City of Lynchburg. They moved to Amherst briefly residing at the Central Virginia Training Center, before moving into Lynchburg, residing on Carrington Rd. across from E.C. Glass.

It was then that they began a family, living in several residences and, eventually moving to Linkhorne Forest, where they rapidly developed many friends in the neighborhood and across the city.

Pivotal in their lives was their experience as loyal members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Initially invited in 1955, by Jim Reddy, and eventually becoming fast friends with Harry and Norine Royer among many others within the Church.

Maxine was constantly in the community, either as President of Ragged Robin Garden Club, Woman’s Club of Lynchburg, and Holy Trinity Church. She enjoyed tennis and mostly golfing, while always focusing on her three boys. Upon the boys completion of high school, she returned to nursing at Centra Health; then returned to education at Emory University to earn her Masters in Intrastromal Nursing, Wound and Ostomy Care. In her revived career in nursing, she was acting director of nursing at Guggenheimer for two years, eventually becoming the director of patient education for Centra Health where she served until retirement.

Upon retirement, the couple promptly toured the world traveling first to Nova Scotia, then to China, twice to Alaska, once to Germany, to Italy, to France with her girlfriends, and finally to Panama.

Maxine and Floyd took residence at Westminster- Canterbury in 2012 where they enjoyed the following years. Special thanks is extended to all the staff (too many names to list) at WC, who always extended care with grace and competence. In the event that any gifts are offered to remember Maxine, please consider the Westminster Canterbury Foundation or Holy Trinity Church.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20, at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Dennis Roberts officiating. A reception will follow immediately after the service.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.