Cynthia Diane Ice

Cynthia Diane Ice drew her final breath and passed from death to life on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. She lived boldly and faithfully for Jesus this side of Heaven, and now enjoys the reality of “then we shall see face to face.” Cynthia was born in Lubbock, Texas on December 19th, 1962 to Tommy Gene Bowen and Betty Jean Bowen. She graduated from Monterey High School and began her bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University where she met her husband of 42 years, David Ice. In 1984, they married in Lubbock and moved to David’s hometown, Abilene, where Cynthia finished her degree in education at Abilene Christian University. Early on, they attended Southern Hills CoC, Abilene Bible Church, and eventually joined Beltway Park in 2000. Though Cynthia began teaching after college, she surrendered her career to sacrificially devote herself fully to motherhood and eventually home education. In 1998, she and David founded ICE Academy and graduated their four children under the banner of “Instilling Character and Excellence,” motivated by Acts 4:13 to let their children be with Jesus, and their school verse, Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”. As a mother, she surrendered each of her children to the Lord’s will no matter where it may lead. As a wife, she became a fortress to protect, provide rest, and uphold. Cynthia was fiercely devoted to her marriage and children – praying, believing, and hoping relentlessly for them, being fully persuaded the Lord would bring to completion the good work he had begun.

In college, Cynthia attended Campus Advance Bible Chair, where she met David, and after marriage they joined Bible Study Fellowship in Abilene, of which Cynthia was a lifelong participant – serving as a prayer partner for establishing the women’s night time meeting, and as a group leader for many years. After graduating her children, she continued teaching and joined the Child Development Center at Beltway where she joyfully and skillfully loved on littles from ages 4-5, and also briefly reopened ICE Academy for her grandson’s early education. Cynthia quietly gave generously to all, practiced hospitality, and welcomed strangers for family meals and holidays – always attentive to the needs of others. As a home educator, she served on the board of Big Country Home Educators, lobbied for education rights with grassroots organizations, and volunteered as a mentor for young mothers starting their journeys. In her home, she far exceeded the standard of even the best private academies, organizing the curriculum, schedules, and subjects in the Classical method – seeking out opportunities to provide quality classes and extracurricular activities for her children. Cynthia loved history and travel, combining the two for educational road trips around the USA, and instilling that same appreciation proactively in her children. Together, she and David traveled to Canada, Germany, Ireland, and Israel. Though Cynthia was often very serious and on a mission, she dearly loved to laugh and relished good-natured humor.

Above all else, Cynthia was a disciple of Jesus Christ – noting that there was never a time she did not know and love her Lord. She believed in and built her life upon the verity of God, and his word – sweeter than honey, and a light to her path. She never left home without her bible tucked in her bag – reading it between classes in college, in the car on family trips, or at the coffee shop with her green tea. When home educating her children, she began each day building in them the habit of personal scripture reading and memorization. She instilled the importance of absolute truth, and she often reminded her children that “Satan will tell us what is true, but he will not tell you Truth.” Cynthia resolved to know Christ, and she served knowing the love, authority, and power of God. She often recounted to her family testimonies – inspired deeply by those of Betsy and Corrie Ten Boom, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, the apostles of Jesus, and of course her own rich experience with her Lord. She found deep satisfaction and joy from the character of God, fashioning her life to reflect his order, excellence, holiness, and unconditional love. No parent or spouse is perfect, yet Cynthia diligently did the work and persevered through her own personal battles to grow, mature, forgive, and seek forgiveness – a gift every husband and child should be so blessed to know. Toward the end, she wrote: “I pray my life has been a reflection of my Loving, Merciful, and full-of-Grace Savior and LORD.” And we who remain affirm this and say, “[Cynthia] fought the good fight, [Cynthia] finished the race, [Cynthia] kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7) and we are all better for it.

Her legacy endures in her husband, David, and her children and grandchildren: Thomas, wife Julie, Austin, and Jaden; Katee, and husband Timmy; Jon David, wife Carol, and Calvin; Elisabeth, and husband Chandler – as well as all family, friends, and those fortunate to have known her love. We thank God for Cynthia.