Pauline G. Rice

Minister Pauline Gambrell Rice

July 26, 1932 ~ April 25, 2020 

Minister Pauline G. Rice of Anderson, SC, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2020 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was the youngest of four children born to the late Jessie Gambrell and Leuner Sullivan Gambrell.

Minister Rice supported many families in the Anderson County community for most of her life. They in turn supported her with ties that bonded her with them. She was a faithful member of
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Starr, SC where she received her license of Ministry in 1991. There   she taught Sunday school youth for 25 years, sang on the choir, and often played the piano during devotional services. She also served in the Ministry at Welfare Baptist Church in Belton, SC and New Holly Light Missionary Baptist Church in Pendleton, SC.

Minister Rice’s father was gifted in playing the harmonica. She enjoyed hearing him play. One day, she asked God, “What can I do?” She picked up a harmonica and discovered that she too could play tunes on the harmonica. She learned to play many hymnals and played them to the glory of God for anyone who wanted to hear her play. Gardening was a passion of hers. You could find her on any given day planting flowers and shrubbery in her yard. She had a gift of designing flower beds like a work of art. She grew tomatoes and greens in her back yard and shared them with others.

Minister Rice indeed loved the Lord. After retiring and she no longer could drive a vehicle, she began utilizing public transportation, riding the bus. Not only did she “take a seat” and minister to people on the bus, the bus took her to the hospital where she entered patients’ rooms and prayed for them and their families. Her mission for serving God surpassed her when she entered a nursing facility. If you ever met Minister Rice, most likely you were ministered to by her. Her faith was unwavering! Heavenly minded, on a mission, carrying out the commission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ until she received the call to her eternal home!

Minister Rice is survived by her husband, Harold Rice and her son, James Rice, a native of Anderson, SC, currently living in Bowie, Maryland. She is also survived by grandchildren, Sydney and Myles Rice, and Victor Rice. A daughter-in-law, Carol Rice. Sister-in-laws, Jonnie Mae Gambrell and Gladell Martin; a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Minister Rice was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Rev. Harold Leon Rice and William Patrick Rice; a daughter, Angela Rice. Also, brothers, Ulysses Gambrell and William Gambrell; a sister, Corine G. Williams; a grandson, Derric Rice; aunts Bessie Williford, Bertha Taylor, Pearlie Teasley, Mamie Gambrell and Annie Mae Webb; uncles Buck Gamble, Lonnie Gambrell, Fred Sullivan and Spurgeon Sullivan.

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