Hester V. Rice

Mrs. Hester Virginia Shell-Rice, 95, went on to be with the Lord on February 27, 2025. She was born on January 5, 1930, to the late William and late Hester (Linder) Shell in Glenn Springs, Spartanburg, South Carolina. 

Hester met the love of her life, and future husband, Jack Rice, through her sister, Francis. They were married on August 29, 1947. In 1949 they boarded a train to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and made Rankin, Pennsylvania their home. From their union came thirteen children.

Mrs. Rice together with her husband were devout Christians. They were dedicated members of the Pittsburgh Revival Center on the Northside of Pittsburgh; where you would see them every Sunday; rain, shine or snow for over forty-five years. They professed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to their children who also were members of the Pittsburgh Revival Center. Sadly, the church closed their doors for good in 2020.

Mrs. Rice was a seamstress, with a keen eye for style in which she wore every Sunday. She loved gospel music, plants, and word search puzzles. She loved gardening with her husband, who was also her best friend for sixty-one years until his passing in 2008.

Mrs. Rice is survived by eight children; Sarah Rice-Abdullah, Jacqueline Rice-Trent, Connie (Jesse) Rice-Williams, Yvonne Rice-King, Barbara (Roosevelt) Rice-Russell, Linda Rice, and Daniel J. Rice. She leaves in her passing; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews of the Shell family residing in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack Rice Sr., five children, Eloise Rice-Henderson, Brenda Rice, Dennis Rice, Kenneth Rice and Jack Rice Jr., four grandsons, Yamil K. Henderson, Carlos Clark Jr., Antwon J. Rice and Allen J. Stevens Sr., great-grandson, Imonte D. Kendrick, great-great grandson, Tyree A. Smith and Joshia G. Taylor, sisters, Altonia Shell-Austin of Spartanburg, South Carolina and Martha Lucile Shell-Varner of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Mrs. Rice lived the life God blessed her to have. We are all here today to celebrate her life and all the memories each of us have of her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

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