Mother Andrea F. Rice

Reflection Of Life Mother Andrea F. Rice I made my debut on a cold day, February 6, 1941 to be exact. My parents Theassie Mae Frances Davis and Howard Mitchell excitedly awaited my arrival as I was their one and only child. Talking about pretty, I was a pretty little girl! I grew up in the Boston community of Winston-Salem, most specifically on Wilson Street. Can anything good come out of Wilson Street? Absolutely!! I played most childhood games, attended Kimberly Park Elementary School and was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church where I was a Sunday School scholar. I have always loved the Word of God! My good girlfriend Marian Roan took me to a little holiness church called Kimberly Holiness Park Church. I loved singing and was a founding member of the Junior Choir. This is where Theodore comes in. Around the age of 12 I met Theodore Roosevelt Rice. It was love at first sight. He was a basketball star and I was his cheerleader. After 5 years of dating, Theodore asked me to marry him and I happily accepted. Life was sweet, but that moment made it sweeter. With my mother’s permission (she had to sign as I was not yet of age) and blessing we were united as husband and wife. My life was forever changed from that moment. I have received many wonderful blessings but 5 blessings in particular were the greatest: MY CHILDREN. Theodore Tyrone, Ronald Lamont, Terry Devon, Tonya Andrea and Eric Bernard AKA the Rice Patch. It was my joy to birth and raise my children along with my husband in the fear and reverence of the Lord. I took domestic work to help my husband and household financially, but soon realized my place was at home taking care of home and family, my greatest joys. I still wanted to help my household financially and the Lord opened a door by allowing me to babysit other children when their parents worked. I kept children, but for a small fee. I kept more children than the school!! I loved them and treated them as my own. I have ALWAYS loved church, specifically singing. I was a member of the Gospelletts which was a group of singers from the Kimberly Park Young Adult Choir. Me along with Paulette Jones, Brenda Hairston, Olivia Speas, Jacqueline Barber, Marian Roan and Gradine Parks. We could blow and blow we did!!! In 1967, Theodore accepted the call into God’s ministry, and I could not have been prouder. We worked for the Holiness Church of God as a team and in 1971 following the death of our uncle, Bishop Solomon Caesar my husband was selected to pastor Kimberly Park Holiness Church. We have always been a team and had a mind for entrepreneurship, that mind has led us to numerous business ventures: a record store Big T Records, Sha-Veh Boutique and my favorite Lady Andrea Hats. I also was a couturiere, making beautiful apparel for my customers. Sometimes, I even made garments for those who couldn’t afford to pay me. I made apparel for church groups, weddings and numerous others. In 1975 the biggest venture of our lives was following the leading of the Lord and founding Mercy Seat Holy Church. We truly saw the hand of Lord in action. Our lives went into overdrive! As we followed God and worked for Him, the church grew by leaps and bounds. We realized our children were blessed musically and were an active part of founding the music ministry and working in many different capacities. In 1979, I stood by proudly and witnessed my husband being consecrated to the Bishopric. The more we worked, the more we were blessed. Our work afforded us the opportunity to take some time and travel. We were blessed to travel to California, Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Portland Oregon, Atlanta Ga and numerous other places. One of my favorite trips was a cruise Theodore and I went to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. I enjoyed bowling and have been called a professional bowler and I am a certified, professional shopper. I have been blessed to witness three of my sons Tyrone, Terry and Eric not only preach the Gospel but to rise in ministry ranks. I was even more blessed to see my grandson Micah preach and be ordained. God graced me to travel to Houston Texas to see my baby’s Eric’s church, The House of Judah. God answered my prayer to allow me to live to behold it. My life has been full and rich for one reason: Salvation!! Holy living and seeking to live pleasing in the Lord’s sight made my life beautiful. If I had to choose again, I’d STILL choose Jesus. I say goodnight to the love of my life Theodore of 64 years, my five wonderful children, Theodore Tyrone (Karen), Ronald Lamont (Beatrice), Terry Devon, Tonya Andrea (Robert) and Eric Bernard (Teresa). Twenty-two grandchildren, and Twenty-three great grandchildren, two devoted friends Sister Princella Harris and Evangelist Nancy Wilkes. Special Daughter Prophetess Shelia AllenWilson and daughters in love Ms. Deraye Jenkins and Evangelist Lashonda Wright, her Mercy Seat Holy Church Family and Holiness Church of God Family.

Mother Andrea F. Rice

February 6, 1941 - May 28, 2021