Elder James William Elvin Rice was born in Oxford, NC, on July 15, 1938. He was the second-oldest child born to the marriage union of the late William and Marie Cozart Rice. He was affectionately known as "Bruh" (brother) and "Jimmy." He was a resident of Mocksville, NC. On May 19, 2025, God willed him to rest from his work on earth with his beautiful and loving wife of 32 years, Ethel, and other family members at his side.

After graduating from the Mary Potter High School in Oxford, NC, James was inducted into the United States Air Force in May 1956 and served his country honorably for four years as Airman 2nd Class. After returning to the United States from his Korea deployment, James resided in Trenton, NJ, stationed at the McGuire Air Force Base. In 1958, he moved to Philadelphia, PA. James fulfilled his 4-year commitment in the United States Air Force, he entered the civilian workforce and was employed by Boeing, the Philadelphia Psychiatric Hospital, and the Philadelphia Prison System. On February 3, 1969, he graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy, graduating class #179, and began a career in law enforcement with the Philadelphia Police Department. During his PPD career, he was assigned to the 17th, 19th, and 39th Police Districts. He retired on November 12, 1986. Still, he continued his career in law enforcement with the Wake County Sheriff's Department in Raleigh, NC, the Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department in Philadelphia. He later relocated to Punta Gordon, Florida, where he ended his lifelong law enforcement work. Before retiring for good, James was a school bus driver for the Punta Gorda School District.

James was no stranger to hard work. He tried to set an example for his children by instilling an honest work ethic and never being afraid to pursue an endeavor.

In 1991, James joined the Germantown SDA Church in Philadelphia, PA. He served as a deacon until he and his wife, Ethel, moved to Florida in 2001. They joined the Punta Gorda SDA Church in Punta Gorda, FL, and later transferred to the Port Charlotte Faith SDA Church, where he was ordained as head Elder. In 2017, they left the Sunshine State and moved to Mocksville, NC, where he continued his Christian duty in God's Army at the Ephesus SDA Church in Winston Salem, NC. Lastly, he was a member of the Clemmons SDA Church located in Clemmons, NC when God called him in from the battlefield.

James enjoyed domestic and international travel with his family and spending time with them in his leisure time. He was happy whether it was time spent at family gatherings playing board games, card games, watching his favorite football team on TV, the Philadelphia E.A.G.L.E.S, other sporting events, playing his favorite games on his phone or tablet, engaging in good conversation, or fellowshipping with them at church. He also loved spending time at home with his wife., Whether they watched television, she knitted, shared a home-cooked meal, or engaged in Bible study. Whether biological or surrogate, his family was essential to him. Even after he moved from Philadelphia 23 years ago, he made it a point to visit his family in Philadelphia, often visiting more than once a year.

James was an extension of a family tree with many branches. As the seasons changed, the tree lost some leaves. Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by his sons, James Donell Rice and Howard McLeary; two brothers, John and Nathaniel Rice; three sisters, Leora Lee, Helen McCallister, and Carolyn Moore; and six grandchildren, Jerry Rice, Jr., James Perkins-Rice, Michael Rice, Lee Oscar Rice, Jamar Rice, and Ebony McBride.

Until his last days, James made an impact on others. He leaves to cherish those memories, his devoted wife, Ethel Rice; and his children from blended families who made him the Patriarch of five generations, Jerry T. Rice, Sr. of Philadelphia, PA, William T. Rice (Ruby) of South Hill, SC, Glenn E. Rice, Sr. (Jacynthia) of Philadelphia, PA, Angela R. Bradley (Perry) of Oreland, PA, Michael S. Rice (Jean) of Oreland, PA, Darry McBride (Bryanne) of Sicklerville, NJ, Brandon Rice of Charolette, NC, Wayne McLeary of Greensboro, NC, Sharon Sims (Desi) of High Point, NC, and Collect McCleary of Houston, TX; his siblings, Annie Pearl Williams of Philadelphia, PA, Leondra Rice of Philadelphia, PA, Mable Dunmore of Philadelphia, PA, and Queen Banks (Jimmy) of Philadelphia, PA; one sister-in- law, Lena Clarke of Punta Gorda, FL; three generations of grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends. God blessed James with 86 years of life!

Psalm 90:10... "The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it soon cut off, and we fly away." With each new day granted to James, he considered the value of his time and the importance of living a purposeful life. He strived to live his life pleasing to God so that on the day of his resurrection, he would hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Monday, June 2, 2025 at Clemmons Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  Interment will follow in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC. The family visitation will be held from 10:00am until 11:00am on Monday at the Church.