Luther "Stick" Rice was born February 20th, 1925. He departed this life on Thursday September 26th, 2013 at the ARH Hospital in Hazard, Kentucky at the age of 88 years old.
Luther was born in Saul, Kentucky and was the son of Ambrose and Polly Rice. He was a resident of Eastern Kentucky Veteran's Center of Hazard, KY for the past 2 years and 9 months. Luther Rice was an outstanding member of Mount Paran Baptist Church for over 32 years, a World War II veteran and a Purple Heart Recipient, as well as being known as an avid rocking chair builder.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose and Polly Rice, his wife, Opal Gay Rice, one sister, Leona Bowling, and one grandson, Travis Wayne Rice.
He is survived by 7 sons: Robert Lee Rice and wife, Ollie Jean, of Saul, KY, Ronald Wayne Rice, of Saul, KY, Michael Carl Rice of Columbus, IN, Luther Jack Rice of Saul, KY, Mark Gay Rice and wife, Mary Darlene, of Saul, KY, Emory O'Donald Rice and wife, Georgia, of Manchester, KY, and Lucas McCane Rice of Saul, KY.
He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, one sister, Ruth Gibson, of London, KY, one brother, Don Rice, of Saul, KY, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Luther Rice will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday at the Mount Paran Baptist Church with Jessie Martin, George Abner, and Mike Gibson officiating. Following the funeral service, Luther Rice will be laid to rest at the Granville Barger Cemetery up Mudlick Branch Road in Saul, KY.
Visitation will be after 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Mount Paran Baptist Church.
Britton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
