Jessie M Rice

JESSIE M. RICE received the greatest grace of eternal peace; She was called home from this life into the open arms of the Creator.  Jessie Mae Evans was born December 18, 1931 in Birmingham, Alabama to Grace Ann and Jesse Evans, Sr.  She was one of three children.

Jessie received her education in the Alabama school system.  Meeting the love of her life, Benjamin Rice, Sr., they united in holy matrimony.  In the early 1960’s, after the birth of their second child, the Rice Family made their home in Buffalo, New York, where God blessed them with three more beautiful children. 

For a brief time, Jessie was employed by Frontier Linen.  However, her full-time    commitment was to her family; serving dutifully to her husband and her children as a stay-at-home wife and mother.  Mr. and Mrs. Rice shared a beautiful and loving  marriage for 64 years, until the Lord called Benjamin home to glory on April 19, 2016.  However, this did not stop Jessie from continuing the legacy of good family values that her and her late husband had instilled in their children from an early age.  Being a good disciplinarian, Jessie would say, “I’m in charge!,” but in such a way that it was evident that it came from a place of love,  rarely having to go beyond those words.  As the Matriarch of the family, she helped in raising generations of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  She cared and loved     everyone, most importantly, she loved the Lord.

Jessie professed her love for Christ in her early years.  She worshiped at Tried Stone Baptist Church.  Later, she would faithfully fellowship at Second Temple Missionary Baptist Church. 

Jessie enjoyed watching her gospel programs on Sunday morning, and listening to Gospel.  She took pride in her “Southern–style” cooking, and took pleasure in  making her homemade pies.

Her greatest legacy will be remembered by her love of God and her love of family.  She leaves to cherish her memories five loving children, Grace A. Rice-Turner, Jepthemenia Land (August) , Benjamin Rice, Jr. (Olivia), Scott B. Rice and Kerry Rice (Kimberly) ; one brother, Elliott Evans, Sr.; seven grandchildren, Benjamin Rice III, Jamal Rice, Jepthemena Babagana (Kolo), Chaniqua Bailey (Demetrius), Josh Land, Tinara  Rivas (Robert), and Kimmie Turner; Jessie also leaves to mourn a host of  great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other beloved family and friends.

Jessie is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Grace Evans; husband, Benjamin Rice, Sr.; and brothers, Willie Evans and Boat.

Family will receive friends Saturday, March 25, 2017, 10am at Brian K. Lewis Funeral Home, 2528 Bailey Ave.  Funeral to follow at 11am.  Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

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