News/Events
03/03/2022 - Mississippi Chapter - Association of Consulting Foresters Winter Meeting
The Winter Meeting has been set for Thursday, March 3rd, 2022. We will be gathering again at the Farm Bureau Grill at the Mississippi Braves Stadium in Pearl. Registration will begin @ 9:00 a.m., and we hope to be wrapped up by 2:00 p.m..
OBITUARY
John G. Guthrie, MS Registered Forester #1
9/9/1925-2/4/2022
John Girard Guthrie, age 96, passed away Friday, February 4, 2022, at his residence surrounded by his family.
Mr. Guthrie was born in Deerfield, Florida on September 6, 1925. He grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana where he was an All-State football guard at West Lafayette High School. He was a trained fighter pilot and World War II Veteran of what is now the United States Air Force. Mr. Guthrie attended Purdue University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and completed a Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1948. At Purdue, he met the love of his life, Randalin Tuesburg and they were married in February 1949.
Mr. Guthrie’s first job upon graduation was with the Illinois Central Railroad as a forestry agent to help reforest the south. He and his wife moved to Hattiesburg, MS and brought Purdue’s prototype mechanical tree planter. Mr. Guthrie helped perfect the tree planter into what became known as the Illinois Central Tree Planter. He was nicknamed “Johnny Pinetree” as a result of his promotion of forestry and tree planting. Mr. Guthrie went on to work for Dantzler Lumber Company, moved to Wiggins in 1951, and opened what is now John G. Guthrie and Sons in1954. Mr. Guthrie was an advocate for the forestry profession and was issued Registered Forester License No. 1 in Mississippi. He served as the first chairman for the Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters. He also served on the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board and was a licensed real estate broker. He was a member of the Society of American Foresters for 73 years, a charter member of the Mississippi Association of Consulting Foresters, a past president of the Mississippi Forestry Association, and served on the board for Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
Mr. Guthrie was very active in the First United Methodist Church of Wiggins where he had 67 years of perfect attendance in Sunday School and was a member of the choir for about 60 years. He also served as a Sunday School teacher, Trustee, and was involved in many other activities.
Mr. Guthrie was a 72 year member and Past Master of J.L. Power Masonic Lodge No. 416 F. & A.M. in Perkinston, MS. He was a long-time member of Knights Templar, Scottish Rite, Miriam Chapter No. 67 Order of the Eastern Star (Past Patron), Gideons International, and Neighborhood Watchdogs (Wiggins, MS).
Mr. Guthrie was active in Boy Scouts where he received the Silver Beaver, Pine Burr, and Good Scout awards. He served as a Scout Master and was on the Pine Burr Area Council Camp Committee locating Camp Tiak in Fruitland Park. He also was on the Girl Scout Camp Committee to locate and purchase the Gulf Pine Council Camp Iti Kana.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Randalin T. Guthrie, his parents, Horatio Nelson Guthrie and Clara Girard Guthrie; two brothers, Alfred C. Guthrie and H. Nelson Guthrie, Jr; and two sisters Helen Eilar and Marjorie Lewis.
Mr. Guthrie is survived by his four children, daughter, Suzanne; three sons, John G., Jr. (Sonja), James D. (Sherrye), and Randal L. (Connie); 10 grandchildren, David (Jennifer), Anny (Jacob Dykes), Christopher, Joseph (Kharri), Samantha (John Thames), Katie (Jason Leist), Rand (Ashley), Calista (Austin Mills), Sarah, and John G., III; 20 great-grandchildren with two more on the way and a host of friends.
On Friday, February 11 a visitation will be held at Moore Funeral Home of Wiggins, MS from 5-7 p.m. Arrangements are scheduled for Saturday, February 12 at First United Methodist Church of Wiggins with visitation at 9 a.m. followed by a service at 10 a.m. Burial and Masonic Service to follow at Wiggins Cemetery. The service will be broadcast on the church’s YouTube Channel and Facebook group. Memorials are suggested to be given to Gideons International, First United Methodist Church of Wiggins, John G. Guthrie Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Bank of Wiggins, or your favorite charity.
Mr. Guthrie was born in Deerfield, Florida on September 6, 1925. He grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana where he was an All-State football guard at West Lafayette High School. He was a trained fighter pilot and World War II Veteran of what is now the United States Air Force. Mr. Guthrie attended Purdue University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and completed a Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1948. At Purdue, he met the love of his life, Randalin Tuesburg and they were married in February 1949.
Mr. Guthrie’s first job upon graduation was with the Illinois Central Railroad as a forestry agent to help reforest the south. He and his wife moved to Hattiesburg, MS and brought Purdue’s prototype mechanical tree planter. Mr. Guthrie helped perfect the tree planter into what became known as the Illinois Central Tree Planter. He was nicknamed “Johnny Pinetree” as a result of his promotion of forestry and tree planting. Mr. Guthrie went on to work for Dantzler Lumber Company, moved to Wiggins in 1951, and opened what is now John G. Guthrie and Sons in1954. Mr. Guthrie was an advocate for the forestry profession and was issued Registered Forester License No. 1 in Mississippi. He served as the first chairman for the Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters. He also served on the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board and was a licensed real estate broker. He was a member of the Society of American Foresters for 73 years, a charter member of the Mississippi Association of Consulting Foresters, a past president of the Mississippi Forestry Association, and served on the board for Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
Mr. Guthrie was very active in the First United Methodist Church of Wiggins where he had 67 years of perfect attendance in Sunday School and was a member of the choir for about 60 years. He also served as a Sunday School teacher, Trustee, and was involved in many other activities.
Mr. Guthrie was a 72 year member and Past Master of J.L. Power Masonic Lodge No. 416 F. & A.M. in Perkinston, MS. He was a long-time member of Knights Templar, Scottish Rite, Miriam Chapter No. 67 Order of the Eastern Star (Past Patron), Gideons International, and Neighborhood Watchdogs (Wiggins, MS).
Mr. Guthrie was active in Boy Scouts where he received the Silver Beaver, Pine Burr, and Good Scout awards. He served as a Scout Master and was on the Pine Burr Area Council Camp Committee locating Camp Tiak in Fruitland Park. He also was on the Girl Scout Camp Committee to locate and purchase the Gulf Pine Council Camp Iti Kana.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Randalin T. Guthrie, his parents, Horatio Nelson Guthrie and Clara Girard Guthrie; two brothers, Alfred C. Guthrie and H. Nelson Guthrie, Jr; and two sisters Helen Eilar and Marjorie Lewis.
Mr. Guthrie is survived by his four children, daughter, Suzanne; three sons, John G., Jr. (Sonja), James D. (Sherrye), and Randal L. (Connie); 10 grandchildren, David (Jennifer), Anny (Jacob Dykes), Christopher, Joseph (Kharri), Samantha (John Thames), Katie (Jason Leist), Rand (Ashley), Calista (Austin Mills), Sarah, and John G., III; 20 great-grandchildren with two more on the way and a host of friends.
On Friday, February 11 a visitation will be held at Moore Funeral Home of Wiggins, MS from 5-7 p.m. Arrangements are scheduled for Saturday, February 12 at First United Methodist Church of Wiggins with visitation at 9 a.m. followed by a service at 10 a.m. Burial and Masonic Service to follow at Wiggins Cemetery. The service will be broadcast on the church’s YouTube Channel and Facebook group. Memorials are suggested to be given to Gideons International, First United Methodist Church of Wiggins, John G. Guthrie Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Bank of Wiggins, or your favorite charity.
OBITUARY
Donald Bell
April 26, 1934-February 15, 2021
Donald Steele Bell, 86, passed away at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi on February 15, 2021, after an extended illness. He was born to the late Walter Otto Bell and Ibbie Irene Belk Bell on April 26, 1934, in Ethel, Mississippi.
Don was a very patriotic man serving with loyalty and devotion to his country and mankind. He entered into the United States Army on October 17, 1958 and later transferring to the Mississippi National Guard, Unit 223 Engineering Battalion. He served over 22 years of service to his country and the military.
Don began his dedication to serving and service at a young age, starting with singing in the National FFA chorus in high school and attending Boy’s State while in high school. Don attended Holmes Community College from 1952 to 1954. Upon his graduation he enrolled at Mississippi State University where he received his BS Degree in Forestry in 1956. He was a member of the first class from the new forestry curriculum. Don continued to expand his education by attending many forestry workshops. His work career began with the Jimmy Henley Lumber Company, while still a student as MSU. Upon graduation he worked at the D. L. Fair Lumber Company as their forester, Georgia Pacific, and Weyerhaeuser as their forester and later as their raw materials manager. After 22 years of working for others he began his private consulting career as a forest manager founding Donald S. Bell and Associates in June 1978. After another 22 years he sold his business but continued to work part-time with Bell Kirkland and Associates.
Don was a member of several forestry organizations where he served as a board member and chairman for those organizations including: the Mississippi Forestry Association, the Society of American Foresters, representing Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, the Association of Consulting Foresters of America, and the National Association of Forestry. He also served as an agent for Mutual of New York helping families with estate planning. He also invested in young people serving as the Boy Scouts as a Scout Master for Troop 26. He also served on the Pushmataha Scout Board and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award and honored as a Boy Scout Master and Order of the Arrow. Don took great interest in his town and community serving as a member of the Bruce Chamber of Commerce where he served as past chairman, founding member of the Bruce Jaycees, and past member of the Bruce School Board. Don was also a member of the Bruce Rotary Club, serving as past president, he was also a Paul Harris Fellow and had perfect attendance for over 44 years. Don also served as past president of the MSU School of Forestry Alumni Association. He was a member of the MSU Alumni Association and the Calhoun County MSU Alumni Association. He was also past president of the North Mississippi Fire Prevention Association.
Don was an active member of the Bruce United Methodist Church, where he served in various positions in the church. He served on the Administrative Board, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Finance Committee, and Chairman of Calhoun County Methodist Cluster.
Don was an outdoorsman’s he loved hunting deer, rabbit, and quail and if he were not hunting you could find him fishing. He was also an avid MSU sports fan.
Those left to honor his memory are his wife Billie Jo Pennington Bell, whom he married on July 27, 1956, daughters: Barbara (Ted) Camp, of Banner; Sharon (Steve) James, of Bruce; Donna (Thomas) Camp, of Banner, and Penny (Bryan) Register, of Vicksburg; Brothers: Terrell (Edna) Bell, of Louisville, and Bob Bell, of Ethel; Grandchildren: Kevin (Dr.Keri) Camp: Dr. Jason (Kristy) Camp; Christy (Michael) Listenbee; Kayla (Jason) Jenkins; Clint Camp; Hannah (Michael) Maier, and Matthew Register, and 7 Great Grandchildren.
A visitation and funeral service will be held Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce. The visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. until service time at 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home chapel. Bro. Darrell Logan and Bro. Jeff Dalton will be officiating, and Dr. Jason Camp will be doing the eulogy and tribute. Burial will be in Memory Memorial Garden. Pallbearers will be: Kevin Camp, Dr. Jason Camp, Clint Camp, Matthew Register, Jason Jenkins, and Johnny Broocks. Honorary pallbearers are: Neil Kirkland, Bill Canale, Jim Pennington, Mac Burnett, Ed Quillen, Dave Fair III, Charles Dismuke, Bruce Rotary Club members, and his dedicated caregivers: Rachelle Edwards, Lucy Hughes, Deanna Gray, Lee Counts, Arnita Hooper, Mary Netterville and Tewkunzi Thornton. Also, a special caregiver that is now serving in heaven, Christi Story.
Memorials may be made in Don’s memory to the Bruce Chamber of Commerce, the Bruce Museum or the Bruce United Methodist Church.
Parker Memorial Funeral Homes of Bruce and Vardaman are honored to serve the Bell family during this difficult time.
Don was a very patriotic man serving with loyalty and devotion to his country and mankind. He entered into the United States Army on October 17, 1958 and later transferring to the Mississippi National Guard, Unit 223 Engineering Battalion. He served over 22 years of service to his country and the military.
Don began his dedication to serving and service at a young age, starting with singing in the National FFA chorus in high school and attending Boy’s State while in high school. Don attended Holmes Community College from 1952 to 1954. Upon his graduation he enrolled at Mississippi State University where he received his BS Degree in Forestry in 1956. He was a member of the first class from the new forestry curriculum. Don continued to expand his education by attending many forestry workshops. His work career began with the Jimmy Henley Lumber Company, while still a student as MSU. Upon graduation he worked at the D. L. Fair Lumber Company as their forester, Georgia Pacific, and Weyerhaeuser as their forester and later as their raw materials manager. After 22 years of working for others he began his private consulting career as a forest manager founding Donald S. Bell and Associates in June 1978. After another 22 years he sold his business but continued to work part-time with Bell Kirkland and Associates.
Don was a member of several forestry organizations where he served as a board member and chairman for those organizations including: the Mississippi Forestry Association, the Society of American Foresters, representing Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, the Association of Consulting Foresters of America, and the National Association of Forestry. He also served as an agent for Mutual of New York helping families with estate planning. He also invested in young people serving as the Boy Scouts as a Scout Master for Troop 26. He also served on the Pushmataha Scout Board and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award and honored as a Boy Scout Master and Order of the Arrow. Don took great interest in his town and community serving as a member of the Bruce Chamber of Commerce where he served as past chairman, founding member of the Bruce Jaycees, and past member of the Bruce School Board. Don was also a member of the Bruce Rotary Club, serving as past president, he was also a Paul Harris Fellow and had perfect attendance for over 44 years. Don also served as past president of the MSU School of Forestry Alumni Association. He was a member of the MSU Alumni Association and the Calhoun County MSU Alumni Association. He was also past president of the North Mississippi Fire Prevention Association.
Don was an active member of the Bruce United Methodist Church, where he served in various positions in the church. He served on the Administrative Board, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Finance Committee, and Chairman of Calhoun County Methodist Cluster.
Don was an outdoorsman’s he loved hunting deer, rabbit, and quail and if he were not hunting you could find him fishing. He was also an avid MSU sports fan.
Those left to honor his memory are his wife Billie Jo Pennington Bell, whom he married on July 27, 1956, daughters: Barbara (Ted) Camp, of Banner; Sharon (Steve) James, of Bruce; Donna (Thomas) Camp, of Banner, and Penny (Bryan) Register, of Vicksburg; Brothers: Terrell (Edna) Bell, of Louisville, and Bob Bell, of Ethel; Grandchildren: Kevin (Dr.Keri) Camp: Dr. Jason (Kristy) Camp; Christy (Michael) Listenbee; Kayla (Jason) Jenkins; Clint Camp; Hannah (Michael) Maier, and Matthew Register, and 7 Great Grandchildren.
A visitation and funeral service will be held Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce. The visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. until service time at 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home chapel. Bro. Darrell Logan and Bro. Jeff Dalton will be officiating, and Dr. Jason Camp will be doing the eulogy and tribute. Burial will be in Memory Memorial Garden. Pallbearers will be: Kevin Camp, Dr. Jason Camp, Clint Camp, Matthew Register, Jason Jenkins, and Johnny Broocks. Honorary pallbearers are: Neil Kirkland, Bill Canale, Jim Pennington, Mac Burnett, Ed Quillen, Dave Fair III, Charles Dismuke, Bruce Rotary Club members, and his dedicated caregivers: Rachelle Edwards, Lucy Hughes, Deanna Gray, Lee Counts, Arnita Hooper, Mary Netterville and Tewkunzi Thornton. Also, a special caregiver that is now serving in heaven, Christi Story.
Memorials may be made in Don’s memory to the Bruce Chamber of Commerce, the Bruce Museum or the Bruce United Methodist Church.
Parker Memorial Funeral Homes of Bruce and Vardaman are honored to serve the Bell family during this difficult time.
OBITUARY
Charles "Randy" Randall Rice
July 4, 1950 – December 12, 2020
Charles Randall Rice, 70, of Hattiesburg, MS, beloved husband of Deborah, father to five children, grandfather of 11, and respected leader in the Mississippi forestry profession, died on December 12, 2020, in Ridgeland, Mississippi. His family was with him as he stepped from this world into the presence of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, and was healed of all pain and suffering.
Randy was born on July 4, 1950 in Princeton, Indiana to Charles Edward Rice and Virginia Ruth Sweeney Rice. He was the second of six children. The Rice family moved many times in Randy’s childhood due to their father’s career in the oil industry. Randy ultimately graduated from Vidalia High School in Vidalia, Louisiana in 1968 and enrolled in the School of Forestry at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, graduating in 1972. On New Year’s Eve of 1971, he met his future wife, Deborah Lowry, on a blind date. They married in 1973 and settled in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where Randy had been hired by Forest Owners, Inc., a forestry services cooperative.
Randy was offered the opportunity to assume ownership of Forest Owners in 1986 and jumped at the chance to build his own business, which he eventually relocated to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He grew the business for the rest of his working life, forming relationships with landowners all over the state, many of whom were his clients for 30 years. Randy’s special expertise in the management of hardwood timber and Longleaf pine combined with his prescient decision to become a licensed real estate broker made him a sought-after consultant for private landowners looking to manage or acquire investment land and timber.
Most days, Randy left home before the sun was up and spent the day cruising timber, walking the gullies and hills of Mississippi with a map and a compass. He would return home covered in sweat, mud, and tree marking paint. He once survived a tornado that felled trees all around him as he clung to a stump. But as a man who loathed office work, he was always happiest in the woods, surrounded by the trees he loved and spent his life helping to flourish. He was well known in his industry, and in 2006 was appointed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to serve on the Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters.
Between 1980 and 1989, Randy and Deborah welcomed five children: daughter Haley, twin sons Ryan and Aaron, and daughters Hannah and Audrey. In those years the family had a hunting property with a cabin in Duck Hill, Mississippi. His children agree that among their fondest memories are the weekends they spent fishing, roaming the woods, building forts, getting up early to go deer hunting and riding four wheelers at the cabin. His sons agree that they never worked harder in their lives than Randy made them work to clear dead limbs, burn underbrush and bring the land surrounding the cabin up to his exacting standards.
As a father and husband, Randy was affectionate, humorous, and a prolific giver of nicknames. Among the mystifying names he gave to his children were Big Girl, Hamminerooney and Moosey Baby for his daughters, and Slug Doggies for his sons, which he did, we promise, intend as a term of endearment. His children wish to note that his own self-appointed nickname, Sweetie Boy, was decidedly more flattering, and was matched only by his name for Deborah, who was always Sweetie Girl. When Randy was in his early fifties, his teenage sons took revenge and began addressing him as Geezer, which was later shortened to Geez. His family after that rarely referred to him as anything but Geez, and he loved it. When his grandchildren began to arrive, they only ever knew him as Geez. Randy was not a proud man, but he loved to brag about his children and grandchildren, and named them among his greatest joys in life.
Randy was a born storyteller, and no one enjoyed his stories more than he did. When he reached the punchline of a story, even one he had told dozens of times, he would slap his knee, throw his head back and roar with laughter. He was also interested in the stories of other people, and was quick to strike up a conversation with anyone. Due to this quality and his lifelong love of a good breakfast, he was acquainted with all the regular customers of many small town diners he frequented in his travels up and down the state.
Randy was many things to so many people, but most of all he was a committed Christian. He served as a deacon at Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and he and Deborah faithfully took their family to church every Sunday. Although Randy was a humble man not given to outward display, the fruit of the Holy Spirit was evident in his life. In his final days, Randy’s family had the privilege of hearing many family members and friends express their gratitude and thanksgiving for Randy. Among the most commonly mentioned attributes were his humility, kindness, integrity, strength, honor and faithfulness. Many described him as their hero, someone they looked up to, knew they could count on, and turned to for advice.
Randy was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Deborah Rice; his children, Haley Rice Wachdorf and husband Daniel of San Antonio, Texas, and their children, Katherine and Isaac; Ryan Rice and wife Rebekah of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and their children Elijah, Ezekiel and Solomon; Aaron Rice and wife Kelly of Madison, Mississippi, and their children Clark, Griffin, Ramsey and Miles; Hannah Rice of Nashville, Tennessee, and her children Leland and Olive; and Audrey Rice of Birmingham, Alabama.
He is also survived by his five siblings, Steven Rice and wife Pam of Gulfport, Mississippi; Martin Rice and wife Donna of New Braunfels, Texas; Julie Lindsay of Simpsonville, South Carolina; Emily Sikora of Daytona Beach, Florida; and Barbara Jackson and husband Steve of Sicily Island, Louisiana.
The Rice family extends special thanks to the staff of The Blake at Township in Ridgeland, Mississippi, who loved and cared for Randy in the final months of his life. The Rice children honor and give thanks to their mother, Deborah, for her faithful love, unending loyalty and commitment to our father throughout their marriage and especially in the difficult last years of his life. Together they truly lived out their vows to love one another for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death parted them. Finally, we give praise and thanksgiving to God for the man he made Randy to be and the blessing he was in all of our lives. While we mourn, we also rejoice in the certainty of the resurrection, and know we will see him again.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a private burial service. In lieu of flowers, please email the family with your favorite Randy Rice stories to randyricestories@gmail.com. He loved a good story.
Randy will be sorely missed by the members of the Mississippi Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters.
Randy was born on July 4, 1950 in Princeton, Indiana to Charles Edward Rice and Virginia Ruth Sweeney Rice. He was the second of six children. The Rice family moved many times in Randy’s childhood due to their father’s career in the oil industry. Randy ultimately graduated from Vidalia High School in Vidalia, Louisiana in 1968 and enrolled in the School of Forestry at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, graduating in 1972. On New Year’s Eve of 1971, he met his future wife, Deborah Lowry, on a blind date. They married in 1973 and settled in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where Randy had been hired by Forest Owners, Inc., a forestry services cooperative.
Randy was offered the opportunity to assume ownership of Forest Owners in 1986 and jumped at the chance to build his own business, which he eventually relocated to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He grew the business for the rest of his working life, forming relationships with landowners all over the state, many of whom were his clients for 30 years. Randy’s special expertise in the management of hardwood timber and Longleaf pine combined with his prescient decision to become a licensed real estate broker made him a sought-after consultant for private landowners looking to manage or acquire investment land and timber.
Most days, Randy left home before the sun was up and spent the day cruising timber, walking the gullies and hills of Mississippi with a map and a compass. He would return home covered in sweat, mud, and tree marking paint. He once survived a tornado that felled trees all around him as he clung to a stump. But as a man who loathed office work, he was always happiest in the woods, surrounded by the trees he loved and spent his life helping to flourish. He was well known in his industry, and in 2006 was appointed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to serve on the Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters.
Between 1980 and 1989, Randy and Deborah welcomed five children: daughter Haley, twin sons Ryan and Aaron, and daughters Hannah and Audrey. In those years the family had a hunting property with a cabin in Duck Hill, Mississippi. His children agree that among their fondest memories are the weekends they spent fishing, roaming the woods, building forts, getting up early to go deer hunting and riding four wheelers at the cabin. His sons agree that they never worked harder in their lives than Randy made them work to clear dead limbs, burn underbrush and bring the land surrounding the cabin up to his exacting standards.
As a father and husband, Randy was affectionate, humorous, and a prolific giver of nicknames. Among the mystifying names he gave to his children were Big Girl, Hamminerooney and Moosey Baby for his daughters, and Slug Doggies for his sons, which he did, we promise, intend as a term of endearment. His children wish to note that his own self-appointed nickname, Sweetie Boy, was decidedly more flattering, and was matched only by his name for Deborah, who was always Sweetie Girl. When Randy was in his early fifties, his teenage sons took revenge and began addressing him as Geezer, which was later shortened to Geez. His family after that rarely referred to him as anything but Geez, and he loved it. When his grandchildren began to arrive, they only ever knew him as Geez. Randy was not a proud man, but he loved to brag about his children and grandchildren, and named them among his greatest joys in life.
Randy was a born storyteller, and no one enjoyed his stories more than he did. When he reached the punchline of a story, even one he had told dozens of times, he would slap his knee, throw his head back and roar with laughter. He was also interested in the stories of other people, and was quick to strike up a conversation with anyone. Due to this quality and his lifelong love of a good breakfast, he was acquainted with all the regular customers of many small town diners he frequented in his travels up and down the state.
Randy was many things to so many people, but most of all he was a committed Christian. He served as a deacon at Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and he and Deborah faithfully took their family to church every Sunday. Although Randy was a humble man not given to outward display, the fruit of the Holy Spirit was evident in his life. In his final days, Randy’s family had the privilege of hearing many family members and friends express their gratitude and thanksgiving for Randy. Among the most commonly mentioned attributes were his humility, kindness, integrity, strength, honor and faithfulness. Many described him as their hero, someone they looked up to, knew they could count on, and turned to for advice.
Randy was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Deborah Rice; his children, Haley Rice Wachdorf and husband Daniel of San Antonio, Texas, and their children, Katherine and Isaac; Ryan Rice and wife Rebekah of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and their children Elijah, Ezekiel and Solomon; Aaron Rice and wife Kelly of Madison, Mississippi, and their children Clark, Griffin, Ramsey and Miles; Hannah Rice of Nashville, Tennessee, and her children Leland and Olive; and Audrey Rice of Birmingham, Alabama.
He is also survived by his five siblings, Steven Rice and wife Pam of Gulfport, Mississippi; Martin Rice and wife Donna of New Braunfels, Texas; Julie Lindsay of Simpsonville, South Carolina; Emily Sikora of Daytona Beach, Florida; and Barbara Jackson and husband Steve of Sicily Island, Louisiana.
The Rice family extends special thanks to the staff of The Blake at Township in Ridgeland, Mississippi, who loved and cared for Randy in the final months of his life. The Rice children honor and give thanks to their mother, Deborah, for her faithful love, unending loyalty and commitment to our father throughout their marriage and especially in the difficult last years of his life. Together they truly lived out their vows to love one another for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death parted them. Finally, we give praise and thanksgiving to God for the man he made Randy to be and the blessing he was in all of our lives. While we mourn, we also rejoice in the certainty of the resurrection, and know we will see him again.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a private burial service. In lieu of flowers, please email the family with your favorite Randy Rice stories to randyricestories@gmail.com. He loved a good story.
Randy will be sorely missed by the members of the Mississippi Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters.