Samuel "Joseph" Rice

On Wednesday May 28, 2025, Deacon Samuel "Joseph" Rice entered eternal rest peacefully at home surrounded by his family and friends. We lost a giant amongst men. He was born on December 6, 1940, to the late York & Florence Edna Rice in Prince Edward County, VA. Samuel started life with very humble beginnings, he contributed by sacrificing himself to go to work in the tobacco fields and helped put food on the table. There are many words that we can use to describe him. Protector! Provider! But none more note- worthy than Husband, Father, and a Man of Faith. He was a God-fearing man who walked by faith and not by sight. Grace carried him through this life. He was love, and during his life that is what he gave. Like his love for his career as a truck driver for 48 years with no accidents with companies such as Samuel Smith Logging in Woodbridge, Va, JP Morgan Trucking, and Tyson Foods, Inc. where he ultimately retired from in 2007. His hobbies that were simple but provided great joy to him included cutting grass, building picnic tables, going to yard sales and flea markets and even playing board games like his favorite Trouble! And of course, we'll miss the famous "daddy pancakes" and his fried potatoes! It is so clear that love overflowed from him because he was able to share it with the love of his life, Cora. They shared a love that spanned decades. He swept her right off her feet and on to the dance floor back in 1961, and that is what they have done for the past 64 years! And from their love they raised a family of five girls, one boy, and a grandchild that they raised as their own (Tamika). With bonus daughters and sons that loved him, and he claimed as his own! So many things will be missed from him, He had a way of disciplining without destroying your spirit! He had a unique way of telling stories that drew you in. He loved figuring out riddles and could even give you directions only using landmarks and the curves in the road. And most importantly we know how much he loved God! So much so, that he became a Deacon at Amelia Baptist Church over 20 years ago! We will miss his presence that calmed and the peace that followed him. The way he took his time to talk to you or just shake your hand! The way he made the unseen feel seen and gave an ear to the unheard. But we give God praise and thanks for sharing him with us for the past 84 years. And we know that his parents, York and Edna Rice, his sisters, Mary Lee and Rosetta "Sweets" Booker, his brother, Calvin Rice, and his eldest daughter, Shirley "Maxine" Stith, who proceeded him in death, were there to embrace him upon his arrival. He leaves to cherish his legacy, his wife, Cora M. Rice; one son, Ricky Watson (Tracey); four daughters, Debbie Watson, Jackie Jackson (Ernest), Connie Oliver, and Lisa Jones (Elmore); twelve grandchildren, Latasha (Dwain), Tamika, Bridgette, Calvette, William "Jay", Tiffany (Felix), Ricky, Jr (Tori), Justin (Marcia), Ashley, Melvin "Max Jr", Dominick, and Kiah; eleven great-grandchildren, Morgan, Alexander, Taylor, Alanna, Josiah, Rylei, Colby, Dwain III (Tre'), Jaxen, Raelynn, and Legacy (Parker); two sisters, Elizabeth Bland and Daisy Lipscomb; one sister-in-law, Juanita Ross; step mother-in-law, Vivian Watson; four step sisters-in-law, Barbara Ann (Richard), Denise (Linwood0, Deborah (Marvin), and Margie ; two step brothers-in-law, George and Keith; a host of nieces, nephews, friends, several adopted sons and daughter; with one special adopted daughter, Katherine Lee