Bernard Rice

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Bernard C. Rice Sr., 84, of Sikeston died Sunday, May 11, 2014, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center.

He was born Aug. 9, 1929, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Burton C. and Jennie Kindred Rice.

Bernard was a lawyer and senior partner with the Blanton, Rice, Nickell, Cozean & Collins Law Firm in Sikeston and was a member of the Missouri Bar.

He served in the U.S. Navy.

He was a member of VFW Post 3174, Sikeston Elks Lodge 2319, Sikeston Lions Club and Sikeston Jaycees, and served on the board of First National Bank. A member of First United Methodist Church of Sikeston, he had also served as chairman of the trustee committee.

Bernard and Mary "Genie" Blanton were married Sept. 4, 1954, in Sikeston.

Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bernard C. "Cliff" Rice Jr. and Patty Rice of Independence, Missouri, and Stephen and Monique Rice of Sikeston; three grandchildren, Katherine and husband Andrew Newbold of Glendale, Missouri, Abigail Rice and Madeleine Rice of Sikeston.

The family would like to thank the in-home caregivers of "Mr. B," as they affectionately called him: Tina Avery, Bethany Drew, Mary Quinn, Carolyn Steck and Tammy Draper.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Geoff Posegate, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Bryan Nickell, John Cozean, Tom Collins, Shaun Hanschen, Patrick Douglas, Mike Bohannon and Andy Newbold.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 682, Sikeston, MO 63801; Crown Hospice, 2858 Professional Court, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703; or Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777

Online condolences may be shared at nunneleefuneralchapel.com.