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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Pastor James Charles Rice of Decatur, who 
4passed away on October 22, 2013; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Pastor Rice was born in Walls, Mississippi in 
61938; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Pastor Rice was already teaching Sunday School at 
8the Walls Chapel United Methodist Church by age 12; at age 28, 
9he became Pastor to his first church, the Seven Star Baptist 
10Church in Indianapolis, Indiana  and served from 1965 to 1975; 
11in 1975, he accepted the position of Pastor at St. John Baptist 
12Church in Decatur and oversaw its relocation from King Street 
13to its current  home on East Moore Street; he moved to Mt. 
14Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in 1985; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Pastor Rice married Earnestine Allen in 1998; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Pastor Rice served with the Mid-State District 
17Association, the Illinois National Baptist State Convention, 
18and the National Baptist Convention Incorporated 
19International; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Pastor Rice was preceded in death by his parents; 
 
 
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1his son, Andre Rice; and 11 siblings; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Pastor Rice is survived by his wife, Earnestine; 
3his children, Darlene Roberts, Sheila (Lamar) Williams, Steve 
4(Monica) Parsons, Brian C. Allen, and Brandon (Rochelle) Allen;   
5his brothers, A.C. (Estella) Rice and Child (Donzella) Rice; 
6his sisters, Willie Mae Owens, Ruth Miller, Annie M. Gatewood, 
7and Essie (James) Jones; his 10 grandchildren; his 4 
8great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and loved 
9ones; therefore, be it
  
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL 
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
12Pastor James Charles Rice, and extend our sincere condolences 
13to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be 
14it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to the family of Pastor Rice as an expression of our 
17deepest sympathy.