Pastor's Blog

Nathanael A. Rice

Nathanael A. Rice, age 73, a lifelong resident of Ashford passed away peacefully into God’s presence on Monday, November 19, 2018 at a Dothan hospital.

Funeral services for Mr. Rice will be held at 2PM Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at Watermark Church with Pastor Todd Thorpe, Rev. Larry Adams and Rev. Gaylon Benton officiating. Burial will follow in the Ashford City Cemetery with Family First Funeral & Cremation Care directing. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30PM until service time in the sanctuary. Contributions may be made to Watermark Church, Mission Fund, 103 Elmer Road, Ashford, AL 36312.

Mr. Rice was born in Houston County on June 23, 1945 to the late William Spurgeon and Velman Bradshaw Rice. Nathanael accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 16. In his early twenties he developed a serious personal relationship with the Lord that continued to grow stronger every day of his life. Mr. Rice worked with his family at B & R Milling Company for most of his life and was the former Fire Chief for Ashford Fire Department for ten years. In his spare time, Nathanael enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, joking around and making people laugh. He also enjoyed Alabama football.

In addition to his parents, Nathanael is preceded in death by a brother, Matthew Rice and a brother-in-law, Leon Givens. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Brenda Rice of Ashford; a daughter, Rusti Rice of Ashford; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brad and Cilem Rice of Ashford and Heath and Kim Rice of Pansey; a sister Wylene Givens of Dothan; six grandchildren Hayden (Blake) Rosenkoetter, Maegan (Matt) Randall, Taylor Rice, Madelyn Rice, Reece Rice, Ezra Rice and four great-grandchildren.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

I begin this entry with some sad news.  Pattie Suthoff sent me a message early this morning to share that her sister’s husband, Nathaniel Rice, passed from this life around 4:00AM today.  They live in the greater Dothan, Alabama area.  Bernard & Pattie are headed that way now.  The celebration of life service is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Grant & Katie Tillman are set to welcome Charles Grant Tillman into this world tomorrow morning.  Katie will be having a c-section around 7:30 – 8:00AM.  Pray that all will go well as Charles Grant enters this world.  Katie is one of the sweetest young ladies I know.

Willard Garnett is a friend to me personally and a supporter of GRACE Ministries and Shining Light Abroad Ministries.  He and his wife, Amy, were scheduled to take part in our December mission trip to Guatemala but had to cancel as Willard will be having knee surgery on Wednesday.  Pray for all to go well and for Willard to be back up and at it real soon.

We had a very blessed day in our services yesterday.  The comments following our morning services were numerous and encouraging.  Pastor Ronnie Jarman did a very nice job of preaching the Word last night.  Attendance wise, our Pentecostal friends carried the load.  Brad, the praise team, Jeanette & Tena and Pastor Ronnie’s daughter all did wonderful.  Good service!  I am thankful!

Remember, the church office closes at noon this Wednesday and will not reopen until Monday, 11/26, at 8:00AM.

I agree with Auburn’s former AD, David Housel.  It is no longer the Iron Bowl as they do not make iron in either Lee or Tuscaloosa Counties.  This Saturday it will be the Alabama – Auburn game and next year it will be the Auburn – Alabama game.

The cup has been located and returned to its owner.  Glad that is behind me.  Actually this entry is late because the owner would not accept it back until I took it to the cup cleaning place in Pascagoula.  I said that I did not have time for that and she said, “you always say we all have the same amount of time!”  It looked very clean to me but she was insistent on it being cleaned by professionals.  Wow!  Corsages it is for next year!

There is now a Krispy Kreme shop in Guatemala City.  Just FYI.

By the way, today, tomorrow and Wednesday are the days to buy those gift cards online from The Shrimp Basket.  Rumor has it that Briquettes in Mobile has the same deal but I have not found any concrete information.  My sources are not real credible!  Anyone have any insight on this?

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.