James Leroy Rice, 82, a Smithville resident and native of White County, passed away March 21, 2021, at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, in Murfreesboro, following a brief illness.
He was the son of Roy Ray Rice and Willie Mattie Winnett Rice.
Mr. Rice was a retired machine operator from A.O. Smith and a member of Quebeck Baptist Church. He was married to Barbara Matthews Rice who preceded him in death, on May 30, 2014.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Juanita Christian, Fay Lytle, and Sue Jernigan, and a brother, Charles Rice.
Mr. Rice is survived by three children and their spouses, Randy and Glenda Rice, Kim and Bill Spicer, Tracy Rice, all of McMinnville; four grandchildren and their spouses, Dusty and Chelsey Rice, Taylor and Steven Seiderer, Jessica Spicer, all of McMinnville, Shelby Rice, of Smithville; four great-grandchildren, River Rice, Colton and Connor Seiderer, Carmen Spicer; and two brothers, William Rice, of Van Buren County, and Harold Rice, of White County.
Funeral service will be 3 p.m., March 24, 2021, at High Funeral Home, in McMinnville, with burial in Preston Heights Cemetery, in White County. David Bratcher will officiate. Visitation 11 a.m.-3 p.m., March 24, at the funeral home.
High Funeral Home, in McMinnville, is in charge of arrangements.
