Home at last
Daddy went home to be with the Lord about an hour ago. He was completely at peace. We were all surrounding him, praying with him, singing to him, and holding his hands. It was beautiful, actually.
We all have wonderful memories of our last day with him…yesterday there were alot of family members and friends here, and we sang to him all afternoon and evening. We read Scripture passages to him and prayed with him. The nurse who came to check on him said she could see signs that he was aware of what we were doing. She told us that when she walked in the room she could tell that this man was very loved, because the whole room was so full of love.
All through the night and all morning today, we felt that the end was near. That was probably the hardest part of this…knowing that we were saying goodbye, feeling that heaviness, and yet clinging to the hope that he would soon be with the Lord. Thank you for your prayers. We all felt God’s peace and comfort so strongly.
All morning we were listening to a CD by Lance Carpenter, and as Daddy was leaving us, a song was playing….”The Lord giveth and He taketh away. Blessed be the Name of the LORD. I’ve served Him before, and I’ll serve Him today. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” I keep hearing that song in my mind, and I’m praying that we’ll all be able to keep those words in our hearts throughout the coming days.
Please continue to pray for us. We’ll let you know the arrangements as soon as possible.
Charity
To the entire Rice family,
Pat and I are so sorry to hear about Dr. Rice’s passing. While we know he is in Heaven, we also know you and so many others, including ourselves, will greatly miss his wonderful presence and personality.
He was a man who truly loved God and who truly loved God’s people. And he was a many who was greatly blessed by God with enormous talents which he so faithfully used for God’s glory, and a man who was greatly loved by God’s people.
We can only imagine the shouting that is taking place in Heaven as he arrives safely home to be welcomed by his wonderful Saviour and his many friends who went on before him. We look forward to seeing him again when our time comes to go home.
In the meantime, we will always cherish the friendship we had with him, will always retain the many things he taught us from God’s word, and we will think of him often as sermons notes from his preaching fill out the pages of our Bibles.
Please know we are praying for each member of the Rice family and especially for Beverly.
We love you and already miss our great pastor and friend.
Love,
Pat & Tom Stultz
Dear Rice family,
We are saddened at the news of Dr. Rice’s passing. But we know that he is at home with the Savior he loved so much, and he is no longer suffering the effects of the disease that filled his last days.
While Dr. Rice pastored at Oakwood, he was always so gracious to keep up-to-date with how Dad (Dr. J. Robert Martin) was doing. How awesome now to think that they have seen each other in Heaven.
Thank you so much for posting these updates for us. You have been so gracious in sharing with those of us who have loved Dr. Rice through the years. We have prayed for you, and will continue to do so. You are all very dear to us.
We know that God will give each of you exactly what you need in the days to come. Please express our condolences to each member of your family.
We love you,
Danny and Barbie Martin
Dear Rice Family,
Amanda and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers for your family. Dr. Rice was very special to our family and to our church. He was a mentor and friend to me and I miss him very much.
Thank you so much for sharing him with us over the years.
Mrs. Rice & Family, Please know that our hearts are sadened at the passing of Dr. Rice, but yet we are rejoicing that he has now seen the One he loved and preached about for so many years. No more alzheimers, and all that knowledge he had about God’s word and all the things he said he would ask the Lord one day, he now can. Having lost my mother to alzheimer’s, I know how heavy your hearts have been, and I am sure you have such a wonderful peace that only our Lord can give. May God bless you in the days ahead. Love, Larry and Jo Eleanor
Mrs. Rice and the family,
Our hearts are heavy to know that Dr. Russell is no longer with us. But at the same time, there is such a wonderful peace knowing he is with the Lord.
He made the statement once that he was the “10th” son of Howard Spencer and we will always think of him as just that. We can easily envison him and “the Preacher” rejoicing together as he begins eternity. Without a doubt, he will be missed greatly here in Ballard.
Our deepest condolences go out to all the family. We sincerely pray that God would give each of you comfort and strenght in the days to come.
To Mrs. Rice and family, You have been and will be in our prayers. It is not good bye but see you later!When I heard the news of his passing I remembered him singing the hymn “when I see my Savior first of all” asking if we could sing that one more time.He taught me the importance of Bible study and soul winning. I always quote him saying ” you can not be in God’s will if you are not in God’s Word”. He was there when both of our children were born and we thought of you both as family because you were! I really enjoyed his great sense of humor that taught me that living a Christian life does not have to be boring. After you retired we was proud to still call you my pastor! One of my greatest honors in this life was to be labeled a Dr. Rice supporter! We love you and will continue to pray for you. Dwayne T. Hall & family.
We are sorrowful and happy and the same time! I also wanted to let you know that Uncle Russ preached here tonight in Illinois. I found a message he preached @ BJU chapel and 89 and played it for our church! We had a great night and we will see you soon.
Bessie and I are very sad at the passing of Dr. Rice. So many memories at The Bible College, at Oakwood, and especially when my Dad passed away. After traveling all night, he was there to comfort our family and helped preach the funeral. We know that this is a great day in Heaven as he saw his Saviour first of all.
Dear Rice Family-
I have been in prayer for you these last several days. My grandfather Woodie went to be with the Lord over a year ago. The comfort is knowing that we are not people without hope. We will see them again.
Some years ago my Great Uncle Jake went to be with the Lord. I remember as we were gathered around his bed, we were singing and saying goodbye. NEVER in my life have I felt the presence of the LORD as strongly as that day. There were only 20 of us in the room, but it felt like 1,000. I know that angels were there to take Jake home.
I also know that they were there today to take another GREAT saint home. Dr. Rice meant so much to me and my family. May God be with you in the coming days. May He remind you of the WONDERFUL PEACE that we have in him.
God Bless-
Chili Childers
Our hearts are heavy, and yet we rejoice in knowing that Dr. Rice is with the Lord. Recent days have been filled with much prayer for the Rice family and many precious memories of the years that we have known Dr. Rice and the entire Rice family. He was truly one of the greatest and Godliest men that we have ever known and our lives have been richly blessed by his ministry. Please know that our prayers will continue to be with all of the family. We love you all very much.
As we hurt, Uncle Russ is with Him, and rejoicing. Know you are continually in our prayers and hearts. God will give you the strength, that only He can give.
Love in Him,
Nellie
The Rice Family,
“There is a…great man fallen this day…” Bro. Russell was “family,” and we will miss him very much, but what a blessing to know that he is more alive than ever–in the presence of our Lord and countless saints whose lives he impacted. Be assured that you are in our thoughts. We are praying for God’s peace to comfort and strengthen you in these difficult days. We love you.
Dan and Kathy Spencer
Dulce, NM
I’m praying for you that while you are realizing your own huge loss; that you will be able to imagine how much your Dad/Grandad/Husband/friend is realizing his own great gain. In the words of Aslan from the Last Battle: “The dream is ended: This is the morning!”
I love you all–praying you find strength to face each day.
Aunt Bev & Family,
How we will miss him! His stories, his humor, his love!
All weekend, the chorus of “What a Day That Will Be” has been going through my head:
What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
What a day, glorious day that will be!
Uncle Russ’ memory lives on, in everyone whose lives he touched.
Aunt Bev & Family, After hearing that Uncle Russ went home to be with Jesus I put on a Family Harmony CD, Resurection Ground . The whole CD was comforting, although I’m very sad, this is truly one of those times where “My anchor holds but…” Love you all and will continue to pray for you. Love, Julie
I sure have been praying that God would send his comforter to you all during this time. I have been trying to imagine the welcome he got from his Parents, Billy Kelly, Harold Sightler just to name a few. What a reunion. I count it a privilege to have been able to know him this side of Heaven. He was a great man of God! Love in Christ, Jeff