Dr Gene Rice

Passed away on April 14, 2016. Gene Rice was born September 12, 1925 in Middlesboro, KY. He was the son of Howard Colson Rice and Etta Wright. He served in the Marine Corps in World War II and received a Purple Heart in the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945. He is a graduate of Berea College and received a PhD from Union Theological Seminary / Columbia University in New York. He married Betty Jean Smith in February 1952. Dr. Rice was a professor of Old Testament, language and literature at Howard University School of Divinity for 51 years. Gene was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jean (Smith) Rice; daughter, Jane Rice Acosta; and two brothers, John Rice and Jack Sutton.

Gene is survived by his wife Delores McCoy Rice; son, Jonathan (Nancy Deutsch); granddaughter Cordelia; step-daughter Melanie De Legall; step-son Jahmal De Legall; son-in-law Richard Acosta; and brothers Captain Ben (Ret.) Rice, Richard Rice and David Sutton; and sister, Betty Brouwer. Services will be held at the Howard University School of Divinity, Dunbarton Chapel (Law School Campus) on Thursday, April 21: Viewing 4 p.m., Service 6 p.m. Visitation 1-3 PM Saturday April 23 at Reece Funeral Home Valley Chapel with a graveside service to follow in Scott Cemetery in Harrogate, TN. Reece Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family. 423-869-3651 or www.reecefh.com to send condolences. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Howard University School of Divinity.