Obituary of Walter Sam Rice

Reverend Sam Rice, age 83, of Clarksville, passed away, Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at Paris Regional Medical Center. Sam was born December 8, 1929, in the Dimple Community of Red River County to Walter Lane and Ora May Nowell Rice. He graduated from Dimple High School, Paris Junior College, Trinity University and McCormick Seminary College in 1953. Sam was a member of Grace Presbytery and attended Pine Grove Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Survivors include his wife, Margie Rice of Clarksville; one nephew, Bill Rice and wife Angela of Conroe; four nieces Ann Stewart and husband Larry of Georgetown, Cindy Holster and husband Jesse of Cypress, Nancy Hammonds and husband Ron of Houston and Guinndolyn Pingleton and husband Tom of Collinsville, several great nieces and nephews; and special friends Thomas and Nanalee Nichols of Deport and Mark Gail. Sam was called to the ministry at an early age of 12. While walking down an old Dimple road he felt a touch on his shoulder and a feeling as if someone was beside him. From that moment on he knew he was called to be a Preacher. He has pastored many churches; Hickory Hills Presbyterian Church, Calvary Presbytery and in 1955 he was transferred to Dallas Presbytery where he worked with D.S. Neel in the six churches of East Texas Larger Parish and organized Saint Paul Church at Carthage. Under the Paris Presbytery he accepted pastorates at Dial and Main Street Church in Honey Grove. He served the Lake Creek and Cooper Ladonia also. He moved from these churches to Central Presbyterian Church in Henderson. He left there to accept calls from Deport, New Shamrock and Pine Grove in May of 1964. He moved to the First Presbyterian Church in Itasca and worked with the children’s home there. He came back at the request of some minister friends to serve First Presbyterian in Clarksville until his retirement. He later served First Presbyterian in Paris for four years. Over the years he drove countless thousands of miles taking not only people who were members of his church back and forth to doctors appointments, but anyone in need, whether a member of his church or not. No pastor was ever more dedicated to visiting the sick or grieving. He had a natural ability to comfort. One of his proudest achievements was when, at the invitation of Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, he opened congress with prayer. The "Rice a Roadies" were an indication of the esteem he was held in. Forty nine people began taking him to and from dialysis when driving back and forth three times a week became difficult. It was 37 miles one way, with pickup times as early as 5:30 a.m. But no one ever complained. He continued to minister in song and word on those trips. He loved music, and helped pay for his education playing in a band. He could play almost any musical instrument and one of his favorite quotes was "make a joyous noise unto The Lord". Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 9, 2013, at the Pine Grove Presbyterian Church U.S.A. with Pastor Cindy Baker Burnett officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. The family will receive friends an hour before service time at the church. Pallbearers are Cab Lee Wolf, Jim Clark, Allen Huddleston, David House, Ricky Snell, Mark Faulkner, Bill Rains and Bob Milford. Memorials may be made to the Pine Grove Presbyterian Church; C/O Ellie Wolf, 416 CR 3105, Clarksville, Texas 75426.