HAROLD L. RICE

A celebration of the life of Harold L. Rice, 79, of Liberty City, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2009, at Greggton First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Moore officiating. Mr. Rice went to be with the Lord Tuesday, December 30, 2008. Interment will be at Elmira Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview, 1617 Judson Road.

Mr. Rice was born in Seminole, Oklahoma on June 27, 1929, to Charley Loyd Rice and Elsie Lelia Ryales Rice. Mr. Rice worked in the oilfield industry for most of his life before retiring. He was a member of Greggton First Baptist Church.

He enjoyed woodcarving, hunting, fishing and gardening. He loved the Lord and gospel singing. He led singing at several East Texas churches. He was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maxine; one son, David Clinton (Butch) Rice; one brother, Fred Rice and one sister, Doris Rice Haywood.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Rice of Liberty City; special pal, Lexie; Mary Louise and Carl Good; daughter Carrie Fisher, all of Longview; sons and daughters in-law; Harold, Jr. and Teresa Rice, of Longview; Virgil and Pat Peyton and Lee and Molly Peyton, all of Kilgore; brothers and sisters; Charley Loyd (Short) Rice, Lelia Rice Wallace, Donald Rice, Bonnie Rice Webb, Bobby Rice, and Carmon Rice Rike; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 1, at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank HeartsWay Hospice, Dr. Lewis Duncan and the staff at Longview Cancer Center and the nursing staff of Longview Regional Medical Center, IMC 2nd floor for their wonderful care. They also, request that memorials be made in Honor of Mr. Rice to: Greggton First Baptist Church, 4520 West Marshall Ave., Longview, Texas 75604.