Pastor Solomon A. Rice, Sr.

The Relatives of Pastor Emeritus Solomon A. Rice will celebrate his life at a Private Service. The family invites you to watch the services via live streaming on YouTube at this link https://youtu.be/CBxmQXbaXMM as well as the Facebook page of Divinity Mortuary on Friday July 17, 2020 at 11:00 am. The family also invites you to sign the guest book on www.divinitymortuary.com or send all letters of condolences to divinitymortuary@gmail.com or fax them to 843-899-1810.

Life Reflections of Reverend Solomon A. Rice, Sr.

His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.   Matthew 25:23

On October 18, 1956, the Reverend Solomon Andrew Rice, Sr. was born to Mrs. Jemima Rice and the late Mr. Andrew Sullivan. He entered into his peaceful eternal rest on Sunday, July 12, 2020 at Trident Medical Center. A native son of Canaan United Methodist Church in Ridgeville, SC, a seed was planted in his heart about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He later joined Calvary AME Church in North Charleston, SC where he was nurtured & guided under the tutelage of his Pastor, Mentor, and Spiritual Father, Reverend Edward McClain. 

He was educated in the Dorchester County School District and the proud graduate of Summerville High School’s Class of 1975. He served briefly in the United States Marine Corp and furthered his education at Trident Technical College and the University of Phoenix. 

He was united in holy matrimony to the first love of his life, Loretta Bennett Green Rice, who preceded him in death. God blessed them with 4 beautiful children: Wandina, Salina, Treva, & Solomon, Jr. He later married the second love of his life, Candace Wright Rice. God’s blessings continued, and two more children were born, Danielle and Isaac. 

He was employed as a butcher for Kroger-SavOn and Bi-Lo for many years. He later opened, owned, and operated the North Charleston Meat Company, where he fulfilled orders for individual families and restaurants. He was called into the ministry and preached his initial sermon on September 21, 1986. 

On June 5, 1988, Reverend Rice preached his first sermon at New Ashley Baptist Church on Youth Sunday and set the church on fire! The late Pastor William K. Miller licensed him as a minister in the Baptist church and appointed him as Assistant Pastor. Upon the untimely death of Pastor Miller and an appropriate period of mourning, the members unanimously agreed to elect their next leader, Reverend Solomon Rice as Pastor of New Ashley Baptist Church. 

With guidance and obedience from the Lord, Pastor Rice was used to shepherd the flock of believers. Under Pastor Rice’s leadership, the church grew in membership, and it became apparent that “the little prayer station by the wayside” could no longer accommodate its membership. The construction for the new building began, was completed, and dedicated in 1992. 

During his 28 years as Pastor of New Ashley Baptist Church, many ministries & events were established to include a Bible training program for the youth, Prayer Service on Saturday nights, the Combined Choir, Boys & Girls Basketball League, a Bowling League, the NABC Newsletter, the Homework Support Group, Honor Roll/ Youth Awards Service, Sister-2-Sister, the Brotherhood, the Deaconess Ministry, Couples and Singles Ministry, Praise Dance and Praise Singers Ministry, Back to School Extravaganza, Trunk or Treat, Labor Day Picnic, Facebook Page/Group, the Health Ministry, and the building of the William K. Miller Life Center. 

He served as a faithful Board Member for the Old Ashley Baptist Association and a Member of Evangelism Team for the National Baptist Convention, USA, Ins. 

He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf, watching CNN and old Westerns - The Rifleman was one of his favorites. He loved being at home, relaxing, and listening to old sermons by the late Reverend C.L. Franklin. 

Although he has gone the Last Mile of The Way, he is rejoicing in seeing the Beauty of Lord! He would often sing the song, I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loves Me, but he was most grateful that God demonstrated His love on the cross for him and others. Even as his health began to fail, he faithfully Trusted in the Lord. If you asked him how he felt, you could be sure that he would say, I Won’t Complain. 

Those who remain to cherish his memory and carry out his legacy include his children: Salina (John) Gethers, Treva Rice, Solomon, Jr., Danielle (Aubrey) Cox-Todd, Isaac Rice, Wandina Green, & Shineika (TJ) Townsend; the mother of his children, Candace Rice; his grandchildren, Jordan, Jahiem, Janiah, Solomon III, Sajon, Jalen, Tristan, Eli, & the little Peanut; his mother, Jemima Rice; his siblings, Ida (Melvin) Smith, Phillip (Jackie) Rice, David Rice, Anita (Benjamin) Nkanata, Dennis Sullivan; brother-in-law, Albert Bennett; sister-in-law, Janie Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.