Deacon Lewis Rice

Obituary For Deacon Lewis Rice

SPARTANBURG, SC-- Deacon Lewis "POP" Rice was born in Union, SC, on January 24, 1915, and entered into eternal rest on November 7, 2012.Mr. Rice was married for 47 years to the late Aline Johnson Rice.He was the son of the late Harvey and Daisy Thompson Rice.He was preceded in death by three sisters, Martha Donaldson, Leona Foster and Ada Briggs. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Dean, Nathan and Marion Rice.He was retired from Draper Corporation after 37 years. He was a World War II veteran and a dedicated barber for over 60 years, educating over 64 barbers in the Upstate of South Carolina. He was recognized as the Oldest Barber in the State of S.C.He was one of the founding fathers of Hardy Chapel Baptist Church, where he loved to sing on the choir and was Deacon Emeritus. He attended the public schools of Union County.He leaves to love and cherish fond memories: four daughters, Annie (Maceo) Medley of Silverwood, MI, Annie B. (Ronald) Peak of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Jenelle Bey (Larry) of Ateo, NJ and Dr. Betty Staggs of Spartanburg, SC; two sons, Mr. James Griffin (Garle) of Spartanburg, SC, and Mr. Ivory Rice of Chesnee, SC; one brother, Robert L. (Beverly) Rice of Orangeburg, SC; thirteen grandchildren (9 raised in the home); 17 great-grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; two special sons, Gregory Robinson of Clinton, SC, and Roy Lee Jones of Spartanburg, SC; one special friend, Mrs. Wilma Atchison of Spartanburg, SC.Celebration of Remembrance services will be Tuesday night at 6 pm at Hardy Chapel Baptist Church. Homegoing services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at J.W. Woodward Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Lincoln Memorial Gardens.The family will receive friends at the home of his son at 153 Octavia Dr.J.W. WoodwardFuneral Home