Mr. Joseph “Joe” Rice, age 87, Jonesborough, went to be with our Lord and Savior Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the Four Oaks Healthcare Center following an extended illness.
Mr. Rice was born in Pulaski, Kentucky and son of the late Grover & Bessie Bullman Rice. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Hattie Rice, first wife, Esther Marie Henley and his late wife Sevina Christine Howell, son, Ricky Rice, two grandchildren, Penny Rice and Lisa Annette Rice, brothers, Roy Rice, Steve Rice and Tom Rice, three sisters, Mary Rice, Anna Belle Willis, and Martha Cutshall Hanks.
He was a member of Evergreen Freewill Baptist Church.
Mr. Rice worked at Magnavox in Greeneville for 47 years before retiring. He made a lot of trips on “107 Road” through the years and made lots of special friends. He was a cabinet repair operator and helped a lot of people. He didn’t have much but if anyone was in need he would always help and give what he could. He enjoyed looking at and fixing old lawnmowers. A trade he passed on to a special person who was like a son to him Ezra Baker. Thank you Ezra for being a part of his life. He was also very close to Don, Charlie, Leroy, Geraldine, Darlene and the late Andy Rice. He loved you all very much.
A special appreciation and thank you to David Higgins for being such a good friend to daddy and Tina, always being there when they needed you. To Phyllis and her family, the staff at Four Oaks and Avalon Hospice Care for the compassion and care you gave to our father in the last journey of his life.
Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Freddie & Theresa Rice, Michael & Bernice Rice, Gary & Andrea Rice and Steve & Stephanie Rice; daughter and son-in-law, Janette & Rodney Ramsey; one sister, Dorothy Tuttle; twelve grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted 8:00 PM Friday, June 26, 2015 at the Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with Rev. Joey Murdock officiating. Music will be provided by Orville Cutshall. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday prior to the service.
Interment services will be conducted 11:00 AM Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin, TN.
Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons.