Ernest E. Rice

Dec. 28, 1915 - March 3, 2005

Mr. Ernest Edward Rice, cherished father and grandfather, who resided on East Bissell Street, South Bend, Indiana, was taken from our midst at 1:10 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, in his home, at the blessed age of 89.

On December 28, 1915, in Brownsville, Tennessee, Ernest was born to the union of his late parents, Jesse and Fannie (Outlaw) Rice. Moving to South Bend from Brownsville at an early age, Ernest graduated from Central High School where he was an all-star football player. Mr. Rice retired from the South Bend Police Department where he served as its first black officer on the force. Following his retirement he worked as a security officer for the University of Notre Dame.

He was married to the late Mildred Paxton. After her death he married Lawanda Cannon, who also preceded him in death in December 1999.

In 1980, Mr. Rice was the founder and first member of the Martin Luther King Sr. Men's Club and was also a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church.

Loving family members who survive to mourn his loss include one daughter, Gwendolyn Poindexter, along with her mother, Lena Poindexter of South Bend; three grandchildren, Terrance Eugene (Shelly) Poindexter, Carlos Devon Kirkendolph and Eric Deshawn Fikes, all of South Bend; and one step-granddaughter, Latrease Brown of Michigan; along with other relatives and friends.

Source: Newspapers.com

11/03/2024 EJS