Funeral Information: Time: 12:00 noon Place: Shiloh AME Church, Elloree, SC Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 Burial Location: Thursday , February 12, 2015 at 12:00 noon at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC with full military honors **Mr. Rice will be placed in the sanctuary of the church one hour prior to the service. Viewing for the public will be held on Tuesday from 5:00- 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Mr. Robert Louis "RL" Rice, Sr. was born on March 19, 1939 in Salisbury, North Carolina to the late Wilks and Laura Chalk. He was also cared for by his adopted parents, the late Harvey and Gener Rice. He was called to eternal rest on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, South Carolina, with his family by his bedside. Robert graduated from Carver High School (Spartanburg, South Carolina) in 1957 and Spartanburg Methodist College (Spartanburg, South Carolina). Robert served his country faithfully and diligently for many years, by enlisting United States Army. He retired in 1977 and throughout his military career he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 2 O/S Service Bars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Meritorious Service Medal. He was also employed as the Chief of Security at Claflin University, United States Postal Service and South Carolina Department of Corrections working as a warden. Robert was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Although Robert's physical presence will be no more, he will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him. Cherishing Robert's memories are his wife of the home, Beverly Joyce Parler- Rice; daughters, Deanea (Willie) Thomason of Greer, SC, Doris Reid of Spartanburg, SC and Danielle Mackie of Lawrenceville, Georgia; sons, Robert (Angela) Rice, Jr of Spartanburg, SC and Rodrick Rice of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren, Darrell Bates, Jr., Kayla Marie Garnett, Bryan (Ashley) Russaw, II, Joshua Mackie, Robert L. Rice III, Rasaleem Rice, Rockyea Rice, Aaron Rice and Ryan Rice; great grandchildren, Erin Robbs- Kilgore, T'nyah Bates, Gabriel Bates and Savannah Bates; a great- great grandchild, Paien Robbs; siblings, Annie Ruth Key, Melvin (Jessie) Chalk, Walter (Elva) Chalk, Walter (Elva) Chawlk and Kay Ferren; a sister-in-law, Susie Marie Parler; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Shiloh AME Church, 1185 Fall Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115.