Wellford, South Carolina

Mr. Jerry E. Rice, Sr ., 66, husband of Dorothy Hardy-Rice, son of Lillie Ruth Rice and Howard (Rejetta) Ballenger, entered into eternal rest on January 17, 2023.

He was a member of New Trinity Baptist Church and a 1974 graduate of James F. Byrnes High School.  He received an Associate of Arts degree from Spartanburg Methodist College and a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from the University of South Carolina Upstate.  He was retired from the South Carolina Department of Corrections and from the Boy's Home of the South.  He was the Poll Manager for the Greer precinct of Spartanburg County Board of Elections for nearly 40 years.

A lifelong champion of Spartanburg County School District 5, Mr. Rice returned to work post retirement as a Teacher's Assistant, Bus Driver and Career Specialist at James F. Byrnes High School and was a member of the board of the James F. Byrnes High School Block B Athletic Alumni Association.  He was a lifelong baseball and basketball coach in District 5 and his love for children fueled a relentless desire to mentor, support and cheer on as many as he was physically able to.  He organized camps, volunteered and was specifically conscious of being present in the community he loved, for those who had a need, no matter how big or small.  His gregariousness made him a go to in Wellford, Lyman and Duncan, where he was known to "pop up" on doorsteps to encourage and support those in his orbit, often with a trademark joke, nickname or his infectious smile.

In addition to his wife and parents; he is survived by his sons, Jerry E. Rice, Jr. of Seattle, Washington and Johnathan Dean (Dr. Amber) Rice of Cascade, Colorado; daughter, Nia Hardy of Spartanburg, SC; sisters, Ivy (Ray) Dillard, Carolyn Brown, Debra Ann Gray and Stephanie Pearson; brothers, Larry Rice, Ricky Rice and Kenneth Rice; grandchildren, Kellen Benjamin Rice, Kennedy Rice, Alicia Rice, London Rice and Aspen Rice; adopted granddaughters, Shacarra Moss, Alex "Mookie" Moss, Khamora Woodruff and Audrey Moss.

He was preceded in death by his son Stephen Christopher "Chris" Rice.

Funeral service will be Sunday, January 22, 2023, 2:00 PM at James F. Byrnes High School Gymnasium with burial to follow in New Trinity Baptist Church Cemetery.

Please keep the Rice family in your prayers.

Please sign the guestbook in memory of Mr. Rice.

Click here to view Mr. Rice funeral program JRice

The Rice family is being cared for by Sullivan Bros. Mortuary Inc.