Robert Allen Rice, 89, passed on to his Heavenly home Sunday, September 3, 2023, from the NMMC in Tupelo. He was born March 7, 1934 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to the late Robert Earl Rice and the late Clara Mae Baugh Rice. He grew up and went to school in Poplar Bluff. His father was killed when Bob was a toddler leaving his mother with 3 children to raise. Bob was known as a rambunctious boy despite his mother’s good teaching. He worked in construction jobs until answering his call to the U.S. Army in 1955.. After the Army he went to work with Blount International doing large jobs all over the U.S. Bob worked his way up the ladder to Project Superintendent on building bridges, water plants conservation centers, and among other jobs he also worked on Lock C and D on the Tenn-Tom Waterway. After retiring he came home to Houston, MS and has been living in Saltillo since 1998. Bob was a volunteer Sheriff’s Deputy for Lee County helping transport prisoners to Rankin County. He also worked as a carpenter in Lee and Itawamba Counties. Bob was a Mason and member of the American Legion and Faith Baptist Church in Saltillo and dearly loved the Praise Sunday School class. He enjoyed traveling, visiting with friends and family and spending time with his fur baby girl, Bree. Bob dearly loved his wife of 25 years Morine who he says brought him to know and serve God.
Services will be 12:00 pm on Wednesday September 6, 2023, at Faith Baptist Church in Saltillo with Bro. Rob Westbrook and Bro. Phil Ellis officitating. Visitation will begin at 10:30 Wednesday at Faith Baptist Church. Burial will be at Itawamba Memorial Gardens. Senter Funeral Home in Fulton has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Morine Rice of Saltillo; daughter, Shera (Mark) Landry; son, Robert E. Rice, Jr.; daughter, Shelia (Mike) Carnathan; daughter, Lisa Moore; grandchildren: Howard (Lauren) Matthews, Lacy Pardez, Jonathan (Kendall) Landry, Blake (Lindsey) Rice, Jeremy (Shannon) Wood, Thomas (Allison) Wood, Tera (Anthony) Johnson, Leigh Ann (Richard) Lansdell, April (Joseph) Ferguson, Chase (Emileigh) Coleman; 20 great grandchildren and 11 great, great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Betty Boswell and Lillian Rice; son-in-law, Delvin Moore; grandson, Michael Carnathan
Pallbearers will be Howard Matthews, Blake Rice, Chase Coleman, Tyler Wood, Clayton Wood, Anthony Johnson
Honorary Pallbearers are Jim Lusby, Ray Oliver, Larry Digby, Doyle Johnson
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Faith Baptist Church, 553 C.R. 681, Saltillo, MS 38866
