Ralph Edward Rice, 1934-1999Ralph Rice lived his life in true JOY: J — Jesus first, O — others second, Y — yourself last. Before he came into the ministry he could have played professional baseball, for he was an outstanding athlete. However, he felt the call to preach. He attended Ferrum. College for two years, and then attended Randolph-Macon College and Duke Divinity School. Ralph and his wife, Thelma Chewning Rice, had two sons, Paul E. Rice and Thomas W. Rice. Also, five grandsons and one granddaughter. He enjoyed his family, freshwater trout fishing, golfing and church league softball. Ralph Rice served a number of churches. They include the South Culpeper Charge, Batesville, North Louisa, Isle of Wight, Bethel-St. Matthew Charge, Annex-Crimora, Charlotte Charge, Pungoteague Charge, McKendree-Asbury Charge and Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church. His death came while he was serving at Mt. Laurel, a church he had served for five years. Thanks be to God for His gift to us all in Ralph. — Thelma Rice |