Jesse H. Rice

Funeral services for Reverend Jesse H. Rice, 83, of Gilmer will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Gilmer with Reverend Marion Palmer officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Gilmer. Mr. Rice passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2016, in Longview, Texas. Jesse was born on October 8, 1932, in Yoakum, Texas to Jesse James and Wilhelmina Minnie Mary Schultz Rice. He was a retired veteran of the United States Navy in Korea and Vietnam, where he was a pilot instructor. Jesse was also a minister for over 30 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gilmer. Mr. Rice is survived by his wife, June Rice; a son, Rex Howard Rice, and wife, Paula; two daughters, Terry Diane Knight, and husband, Donald, Sandra Dean Pence, and husband, Steve; grandchildren, Aaron Rice, Daniel Proffer, Benjamin Proffer, Andrew Proffer, Wayne Pence, Justice Craven, Jacob Craven, Jermy Thomas, Justin Jones, Amy Luna, Ashley Belew, Audrey Herring, Annie Rice, Abby Richards, Megan Becker, Rebekah Proffer, Sara Pence; nine great grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by twelve siblings. Pallbearers will be Aaron Rice, Daniel Proffer, Benjamin Proffer, Andrew Proffer, Wayne Pence, Justice Craven, Jacob Craven, Jermy Thomas, and Justin Jones. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer.