ELLA RICE

Ella Elizabeth Johnson Rice  (Age 98)  
On May 27, 2021, Ella Elizabeth Johnson Rice passed away at Howard University Hospital. Ella was born December 28, 1922 in Macon, Georgia. She moved with her family to Birmingham, Alabama in 1927. After teaching for two years in Birmingham Public Schools, she married William S. Rice, Jr. (Bill) and moved with him in 1946 to Washington, DC. In September 1954, pursuant to the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, Ella was the first black teacher in the District of Columbia Public Schools assigned to a previously all white school, Draper Elementary in Southeast Washington. Her DC Public Schools career spanned 25 years as a classroom teacher and guidance counselor. Ella retired in 1979 and spent time tutoring, traveling, working with her church, Simpson Hamline United Methodist, and working with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Washington Alumnae and Federal City Alumnae chapters. Her beloved husband Bill, died in 1991. Ella is survived by her son William S. Rice, III, her daughter-in-law Shebbie Robinason Rice; granddaughters Alexis Rice Sudah (Sundiata), and Rahima Robinson Rice, all of Washington, DC; and grandson Dr. David Wall Rice (Mikki Harris) of Atlanta, Georgia. Several other relatives and friends mourn her passing.On Friday, June 25, 2021, visitation 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and funeral service 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. will be at Ft. Lincoln Funeral Home, 3401 Bladensburg Rd., Brentwood, MD. 20722. Entombment will be private. To leave condolences and read the entire obituary, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com