About
Updated……
As many of you know, this site was used a couple of years ago to update you on the condition of Dr Russell Rice in the last few weeks of his life. The family has decided to use it again to keep you updated on the ministry of his son Russell Rice (Rusty). We intend to leave the previous posts about Dr Rice as well as add new ones that pertain to Rusty’s ministry. So many of you continue to ask about Rusty. So, hopefully this will be a place to get the latest updates.
The following post and comments are those from a couple of years ago. These will not be removed in that they are a precious reminder of the support our family received from so many friends and family. We pray this site will be a blessing to you.
With Much Love,
The Rice Family
This blog is an effort by the Family of Dr. Rice to keep those who know and love him informed of his condition. We will do our best to let you know of any changes as soon as possible.
Our family would like to say thank you for all the prayers, visits and concern you have shown. We are so grateful and ask that you continue to remember Dr. Rice and his family in your prayers.
I am so sorry to hear that Doctor Rice is in such bad shape. He has been a true friend to me through the years. I still have fond memories of the first time “Doc” came to preach for me in VA. I was so honored that he took the time to come and help me in a revival.
He and I have had some wonderful times and experiences through the years. One event that sticks out in my mind was our midnight cab ride in Mexico to find a hamburger. We ended up at the Hamburger Del Rio. You get the picture.
Thanks for putting up this site. I am praying for Doctor Rice and the family. I love him. He is a faithful friend.
Dave
Dr. Rice has been a true friend and help to my Church and ministry. We had some tremendous services and great fellowship. Our people were sadden to hear the health situation of Dr. Rice, the last time he was at our church he did a fine job preaching (which is what he loved to do). Our prayers are with you and your family and Dr. Rice. We placed him on the church prayer list as if he was a member.
With love in Christ,
Ray Morris
To Beverly and all of the family, Words cannot express my appreciation and gratitude to Russell. He is and always will be the 10th son of Rev. Howard Spencer. You family became our family in 1966 and our Christian bond has grown so strong since then. Our deepest love to you. You are in our constant prayer. We are praying for the Lord’s will. Love, Mrs. Lorraine (Lodi) Spencer and Tom Spencer
Where to begin…Dr Russell Rice is a very special person to me. You see, he is my mother’s big brother. Mom would love it when Uncle Russ would call home. She was so proud of him. She would say “Russ, you’ve come a long way since the cottage with cracks between the logs where snow would come in”. We would love it when Uncle Russ, Aunt Beverly and the kids would come to Michigan! We would sit around for hours and listen to all his stories. The past 20 years we have had to privilege to live in South Carolina with Uncle Russ and family. What a blessing. Uncle Russ and Aunt Beverly have always been Godly examples to our family and to all of you. On many occasions I have, and will continue to say “now, how would Uncle Russ and Aunt Beverly respond in this situation”. And, of course, I must mention the unconditional love they have had for all of us! They have always reminded me of how Christ would love each of us unconditionally. I will never forget what I heard Aunt Beverly say at their 50th wedding anniversary gathering with family. Chrarity was thanking them for their Godly example of a husband and wife and Aunt Beverly said “being married to your daddy was easy”. Uncle Russ has been there for me personally on different occasions when I was discouraged with myself. Sharing scripture, holding my hands in his while he prayed and, of course, by loving me unconditionally!!!
I love you Uncle Russ and Aunt Bevery, Rusty, Charlie, Sarah Beth and Charity,
Robin
Dear Beverly & Family:
My heart, my thoughts, my prayers are with you. The five years I worked for Dr. Rice at Oakwood will always be among my fondest memories. Dr. Rice made a lot of hard work fun! The many missions conferences, the dinners, the New Years Eve’s services & good times with all his preacher friends…precious memories that death cannot take away….they will grow more precious and I will look forward to reliving them with him someday in heaven. It was just over a year ago that I held my dad’s hand when Jesus came for him. May God’s peace sustain you all. You all are in my heart’s thoughts. Love, Elaine Childers
I was in middle school at Tabernacle when Dr Rice came into our families lives. For the several years my dad pastored a small church in Alabama (Homer Edwards, Emmanual Baptist in Lanett, Al. Many times Dr Rice visited our house when he would come for revival meetings, or traveling by. As a teenager, he was the most interesting speaker. I loved the way he would make stories of the Bible come alive. It always made sense after hearing the message. I moved away, but his friendship with my dad over the past 30 years has been something I admired and appreciated. We all know that Jesus is the friend that sticks closer than a brother, but I think Dr Rice was right beside him for my Dad.
My heart aches for the family during this time. But my thanks goes out to each of the family, that shared your husband, father or grandfather with so many others. So many lives were touched for Christ, changed to walk in newness of life. So many pastors lives influenced like my dad, to continue the course, keep the faith, fight the good fight.
Thanks Dr Rice.
Pat and I are so sorry to hear about Dr. Rice’s passing. He was the greatest Bible teacher we every knew not only from the pulpit but also from his life. He was a man we truly admired and loved.
It was clear to all who knew him that he loved God and he loved God’s people. We are thankful to have been two of those he loved.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Beverly and the entire family. We are saddened by this great loss but look forward to seeing him again when we all get to Heaven.
Please let us know if we can be of any service at any time.
Love,
Pat & Tom Stultz
We all loved Dr. Rice dearly. He held a very special place in our hearts. We all know that he is at rest now and that we can one day speak to him again. Be strong for we know thats what he would want us to do, he would not want you mourning his loss but prasing God, because a great saint has finally gone home. We will never be able to forget or replace Dr. Rice, but we know that he is waiting for his fmaily and firnds on the other side and that should be the greatest comfort that we have. If there is anything that we might be able to do please contact us at anytime. God bless you all and our prayers are with you now and forever.
In Gods Holy Name,
Charles Ray Ball & Family
Dear Friends,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Rice. He was a great man, a great preacher, andalways so kind and friendly to me. I’m grateful for his life and ministry. We just buried my dad on Saturday so my heart goes out to all of you in a special way. May His grace continue to sustain you.
In His Paths,
Tom Hayes & Family
Russell Rice ordained me to the ministry almost 20 years ago. I was his assistant at Oakwood for 7 wonderful years. He was always a godly example and an encourager. I owe much to him.
I love his family. I will miss him but thank God he is free from alzheimers!!
Benny Bagwell & family
our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family …. he will surely be missed …
sincerly …carolyn poulsen
Just a note to let the family of Dr. Rice know that he was such a blessing to me and Charlie. He was such a sweet, loving and Godly man and he will be greatly missed. I feel blessed to have had him share just a short time in our lives. I pray that your family will have much peace at this time.
Dear Rice Family, It’s been a long time. I remember being at your house listening to Charity play the theme to the young and the restless. I also remember the putt-putt next to your church in Anderson, and Dr. Rice giving me plenty of tokens to play games. Those are great memories I’ve never forgotten. I was sad for your family when dad shared the news, but after reading your comments I know God has given you grace. My prayers are with you and if possible it would be wonderful to hear from you again. God bless, Brian
WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU JAMES AND SHIRLEY AND PAUL RUPE
Dear Mrs. Rice and family
I just wanted to let you know that you are still in our hearts and prayers. We enjoyed hearing Russell when he attended our camp meetings every September. He will be truly be missed this year. I can remember one year that he came and he loved the B&G Cherry Pies and several of the ladies when we came down from the choir gave him a pie to take home. I know that J.T really misses his friend. Russell is in a better place and we will all see him again one day.
i am a old friend of rusty would like to know how to contack him . thanks dick adams
His contact info is in this post.
http://russellriceupdate.com/2010/07/21/prayer-letter-april-2010/