Mary Alice Rice

Mary Alice Rice was born September 15, 1931 in Eastover, South Carolina to the late Hurly Higgins and Sallie McCoy Higgins.  She entered eternal rest May 10, 2019 joining her parents in the heavens.

Legacy

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledged Him, and He shall direct thy paths”.  Proverbs 3:5-6 

God created Mary with Christian love and patience. Mary’s love for beauty lead her to gardening, in which she took great pride. Her passion of growing beauty did not stop in the rose garden that aligned her front side walk. At an early age Mary's beloved husband Samuel Rice Sr. passed, leaving her widowed and parenting six beautiful children. Just like her garden Mary was determine to grow young beautiful children. In the growth process Mary mastered motherhood by sewing outfits, making home décor lamps, macramé entertainment set, purses and so much more. Mary found beauty in everything she did from her stylish Cadillac to her freshly crisped Sunday suits. She flourished in the kitchen making sweet potato pies, peach cobbles, pound cake, homemade breads and her famous Big Wednesdays chicken noodle soup for Goodwill Baptist Church.

Mother

Mother defines Mary's spirit to the core of her heart. She did not stop with raising her six children and growing earths precious garden beauties; she continued to nurture the world’s children by becoming a foster parent. Mary extended her mothering love and wisdom to over 30 foster children. Mary's love spread from generation to generation. She made sure she shared a special connection with each grand and great grand, instilling discipline and family values.   

Faith

With Christ as the head of her life, Mary joined the Goodwill Baptist Church where she was a loyal member, serving the Kitchen Ministry, Missionary Board and Choir.  She followed her son’s ministry where she became a member of True Vine Outreach as Mother of the Church.

Employment & Education

Employment included: Department of Social Services, International Paper, Kelly Boarding Home, and Williams family.  She was educated in the public schools of Richland County.

Memories

Proceeded her in eternal life; husband Samuel Rice Sr., son Leon Rice, daughter Dolores Rice-Richardson, sister Annie Goodwin, Jannie Rhoden, Clara McCoy, brothers Freddie Higgins, Edgar Higgins, Roosevelt Higgins and John Higgins. She leaves to cherish her memories children Samuel (Mary) Rice, Daniel Rice, Daisy Haynes and Sandra Rice all of Eastover, South Carolina, two sister-in law Alice and Daisy Higgins of Eastover, South Carolina, twenty grandchildren thirty-four great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and infinite amount family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Alice Rice, please visit our floral store.