James “Russell” Rice, kindness personified, age 92, a life long resident of Little Paint Creek in East Point, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, at Highlands Regional Medical Center, in Prestonsburg.

Born Nov. 14, 1919, in Floyd County, he was the son of the late Raleigh and Dialphia Robinson Rice. Russell retired from Kentucky West Virginia Gas and was a lifelong Corner Stone at Little Paint First Church of God.

In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Malta Music Rice (Feb. 13, 2000); daughter-in-law, Carole L. Rice (April 21, 2011); three brothers, Claude Douglas Rice, Francis Gordon Rice and Zelard Rice; and one sister, Emily Bullock.

He is survived by one daughter, Sharon Kay and Tee Watkins, of East Point; one son, Clarence Russell Rice, also of East Point; grandchildren, Steven Russell (Lori Daniels) Rice, Barry David (Deanna) Rice, Jeremy Teeson (Ginny Fuller) Watkins, and Telah Kay Watkins; great grandchildren, Alley Elizabeth, Caleb Russell, Cari Danielle, Andrew David, Cameron Robert, Connor Daniel; and great grandson-to-be, Brandt Teeson Watkins; brothers, Montie (Barbara) Rice and Jack (Phyllis) Rice; and sisters-in-law, Thelma Music, Goldie Collins and Alka Rice.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Little Paint First Church of God, with burial to follow at the Lake View Memorial Cemetery, at Staffordsville. Pastor Jeff White will officiate.

Friends may visit the church Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. and until time of service on Saturday. Arrangements are by the Phelps and Son Funeral Home of Paintsville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Church of God, Little Paint Building Fund, by contacting the church at (606) 886-3699 or 671 Little Paint Rd, East Point, KY 41216 or Phelps & Son Funeral Home at (606) 789-8989.

Honary pallbearers: John D. Rice, Ken Fuller, Raymond Hayden, Adrian Evans, Jerry Meek, Bill Burga, Alan Sublett and Bill Maxey.

Pallbearers: Ed Boggs, Rick Rutledge, Gary Bastin, Jason Watkins, Ronnie Adkins, Dale Mosley, Danny Hall, Marshall Fugate, Ron Robinson and Henry (Jr) Setser.