EARLE McGEE RICE Earle McGee Rice, an Anderson attorney and community leader for many decades, died on August 28, 2015, at National Health Care of Anderson. During his years of service and leadership in his native Anderson he was known for his sense of fairness, sound judgment, spontaneous wit, and steadfast commitment to his faith. His dedication to family, religion, education, and community service reflected core values which shaped him and which influenced family and friends around him. Born in Anderson on April 25, 1920, the son of Sara Wilhite Rice and Leon Leftwich Rice, he grew up the youngest of four children in the family home on W. Whitner St. Academically he excelled at Furman graduating with honors and at Duke Law School where he was on an academic scholarship. While at Furman he met and later married the former Mary Louise Anderson with whom he had three children, Mary Earle, Jesse Anderson "Andy", and Louisa McGee "Wesa". Following graduation from Furman he volunteered for the Army Air Corps, earned his wings and became a flight instructor and squadron commander during WWII. He graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. After active duty he remained in the Air Force Reserves from which he retired as a Colonel. After completing Duke Law School he returned with his family to Anderson to practice law with his father in the firm, Rice and Rice. In the legal profession his leadership abilities were acknowledged as he became Anderson County Judge from 1949-1963 and President of the Anderson County Bar Association. His community service and leadership extended far beyond his profession into various civic endeavors. Among his leadership positions were: President of the Anderson Kiwanis Club, Trustee of Furman University, Member of the General Board of the S.C. Baptist Convention, Founders Day Speaker at Anderson College, and District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America. In addition he served on the boards of the Anderson County Hospital Association, YMCA, Hospice of Anderson, Chamber of Commerce and the Anderson Lay School of Theology. During active participation at Grace Episcopal Church he became a Lay Reader, Chalice Bearer, a Stephen Minister, and he was licensed to serve private communion. He was cofounder of and an active participant in the Jimmy Ezelle Intercessory Prayer Group, a men's prayer group established in 1970. Frequently he was asked to speak at the Anderson Place worship services, and he considered these affiliative experiences to be the "highlight of my spiritual month." Following the death of his wife, Mary Louise Rice, he met and later married the former Mary Alice Jackson Hayes with whom he had a daughter, Elizabeth and two stepsons, Zach and Chuck. In addition to Mary Louise Rice, he was predeceased by his daughter, Louisa "Wesa" Rice Lund, who was his law partner, and by his second wife, Mary Alice Rice. Surviving him are his daughter, Mary Earle Rice Haynes of Atlanta, Georgia; son Jesse Anderson "Andy" Rice (Diane), of Roswell, Georgia; daughter Elizabeth Rice English of Marietta, Georgia, and stepsons Zach Rice of Pendleton, South Carolina and New York, New York, and Charles "Chuck" Jackson Rice (Carey) of Clemson, South Carolina. Also surviving him are nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family is deeply grateful to his compassionate and devoted caregiver, Faye Gibbs, and to his dedicated staff members on Station 5 at NHC for their extended, loving care. The family will receive friends in the parlor of Grace Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The Memorial Service will follow at 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at Grace Episcopal Church, with The Reverend John B. Hardaway, IV officiating. A private family committal service will be held at Old Silver Brook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to Grace Episcopal Church Capital Improvements Fund, 711 South McDuffie St., Anderson, SC 29624, or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621. Events Visitation Saturday, September 12, 2015 10:00AM - 11:30AM Grace Episcopal Church 711 S McDuffie St Anderson, SC 29624 Phone: 864-225-8011 Funeral Service Saturday, September 12, 2015 12:00PM Grace Episcopal Church 711 S McDuffie St Anderson, SC 29624 Phone: 864-225-8011