Bertha J. Rice, 93 years, of Monroe, Michigan went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe.
Born November 12, 1921 in Claiborne County, Tennessee, Bertha was the daughter of the late Portor and Serena (Brooks) Chadwell.
On June 22, 1946, Bertha married her beloved husband Elmer H. Rice in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Bertha and Elmer moved to Monroe in 1953. Sadly, Elmer preceded her in death in 1988 after 42 years of marriage.
Bertha was a member of Union Street Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe where at one time she taught Sunday School and served as the Sunday School Superintendant. She was a wonderful homemaker, who enjoyed quilting, traveling, crocheting, especially crocheting doilies, and caring for her family.
Bertha is survived by her loving daughter and son in law: Vera Joyce and Leslie Grodi of Monroe, four grandchildren: Craig Rice, Katie Rice, Scott Grodi, and Jason Grodi, five great grandchildren: Johnna, Paryn, Jessica, Nicole, and Samantha, one great great granddaughter: Mila Jo, and three sisters: Dorothy Chadwell of Tazewell, TN, Lennie Gabrielson of Dearborn Heights, MI and Evelyn McCullough of Novi, MI and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son Jack Rice in 1989, a grandson: Kevin, two brothers: Kinard and George Chadwell and a sister: Juanita Parks.
Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1-7 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161, where funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Monday, January 5, 2015 at 11:00 AM. The Rev.'s Ronald Morgan, and Joe Bryant, of Union Street Missionary Baptist Church will officiate. She will be interred next to her husband at Historic Woodland Cemetery in Monroe.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Union Street Missionary Baptist Church.