Robert Vaughn Rice

Robert Vaughn Rice, 82, of Clinton, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born in Crossett, Arkansas, on April 5, 1939, to his parents, Roy DeWit and Avrice Hamacker Rice.  He was a member of Jarvis Chapel Baptist Church, where he was baptized at the age of fifteen.

Robert grew up and attended school in Crossett.  At the age of sixteen, he had received his GED and had already graduated from the Eaton Barber School in Little Rock.  He worked as a barber for many years, operating shops in Hope and Mountain View, along with his paint contracting business called Rice Paint Contracting, which he ran for thirty years.

Robert was an avid deer and squirrel hunter, and fisherman.  He was a former member of the Antlers Hunting Club and often raised and sold squirrel dogs for others.  He loved being outdoors and especially taking his kids and grandkids fishing and hunting.  Robert adored his family and was, most certainly, their biggest cheerleader.  He had an infectious personality and could put a smile on anyone’s face with his crazy stories from his barber chair view.

He was funny and loved to make others laugh, but he could easily sense if you had had a bad day.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and Roy Rice, and two sisters, Ellene Blackman and Nell Wolfe.

He leaves behind his loving wife of sixty-one years, Mildred Rice; one son, Robert Rice, Jr. of Arkadelphia; one daughter, Kathy Menah, of Clinton; and one brother, Ned Rice, of Crossett; along with six grandchildren, Hillary McCrory, Holden, Hadleigh, and Harley Menah, and Dillion and Austin Rice; and three great-grandchildren, Aubrey and, Kennedy McCrory and Sophia Menah.

A Celebration of Life Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 5, at Crossroads Cemetery with Bro. Chris Sexton officiating.

Those who are considered high risk, running fever, or recently exposed to COVID-19 are encouraged to stay home to protect themselves and others.  Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, practice social distancing and refrain from physical contact.

Services entrusted to Medders Funeral Home of Crossett.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Vaughn Rice, please visit our floral store.