Mr. Marshall Rice

RICE, Mr. Marshall - Age 78, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at Serene Gardens, Grand Bland, MI. Family hour 10:30 AM Saturday, August 19, 2023 at St. Peter CME Church, 771 E. Pierson Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Rev. Llewelyn Jones, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Saturday. Mr. Rice will lie in state in the chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. Public viewing will take place during family hour only. Marshall Rice was born June 11, 1945 in Chicago Illinois, the son of Willie and Jerlene Rice. With his parents, he later moved to Helena Arkansas. Marshall graduated from Lakeview High School in 1964. After graduation, Marshall moved to Riverside California where he worked at Kaiser Steel Mill. In 1967, Marshall relocated to Flint Michigan. Marshall worked for General Motors Buick City Skill Trades. Marshall retired from Buick City in 2007 after 37 years of service. Marshall also attended Mott Community College in Flint Michigan where he obtained his Associates degree. Throughout this time, Marshall continued to enjoy life fishing, deer hunting and enjoying his grandchildren. In 1991, Marshall was placed in the Michigan Big Game Records for his white tail deer hunting score. Up until Marshall became ill, he was a faithful, loyal, and dedicated member of Saint Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Marshall held the positions as the Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, and President of the Trustee board for 40 years. Marshall was very efficient in every role he held. He was faithful in his tithes and offerings. A true dedicated member. Along with all the roles and hobbies, Marshall volunteered at Merrill Elementary School in Flint Michigan where he assisted wherever he was needed; in the lunch room, in the classroom, as well as financially to assist any children in need. Marshall was offered a paid position with the school however he refused to accept any payments but insisted on continuing to help. Marshall later agreed to accept the paid position for his services only if the paycheck would go in a special fund that was later named the Marshall Rice fund. As he would receive the paychecks he would immediately sign the paycheck back over to the school. The funds were used to purchase a school washer and dryer, clothes, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, shoes, and hygiene products for any children in need. He was named Volunteer of the Year in 1999 and Parent of the Month in 2001.
Marshall Rice leaves to cherish his memory: Daughters, Marcetta (Lorenzo Jr.) Wood of Grand Blanc Michigan; Yolanda Mays of Minneapolis Minnesota; Grandchildren, Dione (Famata) Moore of Clarksburg, Maryland, Kaiana Wood of Flint Michigan, Tony Wells-Johnson of Flint Michigan, Otis Mays of Minnesota, Jessica Mays of Minnesota; Lorenzo Wood III of Flint Michigan; Great-Grandchildren; Tiffany and Makenzie Moore of Rockville Maryland; Jaylah Pickens of Flint Michigan. Nine sisters: Earletha (Oscar II) Morgan of Southfield Michigan; Dorothy Jean Davis of Little Rock Arkansas; Rosemary Dorrough of Burton, Michigan; Pauline Moore of Inglewood, California; Louise Hathorn of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Carol Mosby of Inglewood California; Willene (Thomas) Wright of Marvell Arkansas; Rita Rice of Poplar Grove Arkansas; Kathryn Rice of West Helena Arkansas. Six brothers: Melvin (Rhonda) Howse of Milwaukee Wisconsin; Denisho (Pearl) Howse of Sherwood Arkansas; Bennie Howse of Little Rock Arkansas; Norman (Dolly) Howse of Chicago Illinois; Leonard Rice of San Antonio Texas; Duane (Darlene) Rice of Kalamazoo Michigan. A host of nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins and other relatives and friends including his DEDICATED, LOYAL FRIEND Thelma Jenkins.
Marshall was preceded in death by: Parents; Willie and Jerlene Rice; Stepmother: Betty Ann Rice; Daughter: Charnessa Johnson; Grandson; Jonathan Moore; Brothers: Ervin, Elmer, and Walter Rice; Sister: Gladys Rice; Best Friends: George Cleveland and Arthur Marks.
The family would like to express special thanks to St. Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Serene Gardens of Grand Blanc Memory Care Unit, Absolute Hospice of Grand Blanc, the host of great and dedicated in home caregivers, and his special caregiver and sparring partner Linda Burns.