Mrs. Thelma Aliene Rice Darby, of Dyersburg, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026 at Okeena Health and Rehabilitation.  She was born June 30, 1939 to the late Eugene and Stella Rice.  Thelma worked as a surgical nurse for Parkview Hospital and Dr. J.C. Moore in Dyersburg before moving to Defuniak Springs, Florida.  There she worked as a machinery operator for the Professional Products Co.  During those years, she met her future husband, Rev. Monroe Jackson Darby, while he was preaching a local revival.  Her faith was an important part of her life as she supported her husband's ministry.  She loved singing in church and listening to old-time Gospel music on the radio.  After his passing, she returned to Dyersburg and was active at The Way Pentecostal Church.  In her free-time, she was a devoted fan of MLB player Freddy Freeman, of the Atlanta Braves and L.A. Dodgers and loved NFL football, eagerly anticipating the Super Bowl each season.  

Thelma is survived by her nieces and nephews; Elesha Kilzer (Adam), Loretta Bohannon (Jessie), Lamar Hodge (Bonnie), D.D. Hodge (Sylvia), David Eugene Rice (Tammy), Mindy Pinegar (Richard), a brother-in-law, Burgie Ellis, a sister-in-law Ruth Rice Combs and her numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.  She is precede3d in death by her parents, her husband, Rev. M.J. Darby, her brother William David Rice, her sisters Faye Hodge and Lois Ellis, her niece Deana Stephens and nephew Nathan Hodge and a great-nephew Brayson Pinegar.  

Graveside services, led by Pastor Brent Rashall, will be held in the former Fairgrounds section of Fairview Cemetery, off of Harrell Ave. Friends and family members are invited to gather at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026.  Thelma's family members will be honored to serve as pallbearers.