Mr. Clevester Rice, Sr., 62, known to family and friends as "CLE", passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2007 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home and Palliative Care Center. He was born on July 4, 1944 in Winston-Salem, NC to Inez Rice and Jessie Witherspoon.

Clevester attended the public schools of Forsyth County. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a paratrooper with the Airborne Division. He lived in New Jersey and Ohio for nearly twenty years before returning home. He was recently employed with Sara Lee Corporation.

Clevester was a member of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father; one son, Clevester Rice, Jr.; and a brother, Willie Edward Rice.

He leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Inez Rice; a son, Fredrick Rice (Eileen) of Winston-Salem, NC; a special goddaughter, Dashon Taylor of Winston-Salem, NC; four grandchildren, Fredrick L. Rice, Jr., Alex Mitchell, Aski Brown, and Amory Brown all of Winston-Salem, NC; one sister, Gladys Rice-Jones (Charlie) of Winston-Salem, NC; three aunts, Geneva Britt of Winston-Salem, NC, Mable Sims and Dorothy Coffer of Philadelphia, PA; two uncles, Benjamin Rice of Detroit, MI and Jessie Rice of Philadelphia, PA; a devoted friend, Pete Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 12 NOON from the United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Prince Raney Rivers officiating. Interment will follow in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC. The family visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until 12 NOON on Wednesday at the Church.