Jane Marie Rauschenberg Rice

May 6, 2012

Jane Marie Rauschenberg Rice, 90, passed away at her residence in Phil Campbell on Sunday, May 6, 2012.

A descendant of “first families” of Lauderdale, Franklin and Colbert counties, she was born in 1921 in Spruce Pine.

Marie’s mother, Tyrrel Armistead Rauschenberg, was born in Colbert County in 1890 at Belle Mont, the home of her great-grandparents, Catherine Baker Jones and Isaac Winston.  Tyrrel was also a great-granddaughter of Martha Henry Winston and Peter Fontaine Armistead who came to Lauderdale County from Virginia in 1822.  Martha Armistead was a first cousin of Dolley Payne Madison and a cousin of Patrick Henry.

Marie’s father, Henry Grady Rauschenberg, was born in 1892 in Spruce Pine.  He was a grandson of Emil Christian August Rauschenberg, who came from Gotha, Germany.  Henry Grady Rauschenberg and his father, Charles Francis Emil Rauschenberg, owned the renowned Spruce Pine Pottery, beginning in 1925.  Some of the most beautiful swirl-ware made at the pottery was marked “Marie,” in Marie’s honor.

A talented researcher and writer, Marie published a book, “Memories of Spruce Pine, Alabama,” and also published the “Winston Genealogical Chart.”

She was a member of the Franklin County chapter of the DAR, which was named for her ancestor, Matthew Smith, and a member of the Methodist Church.  She was a wonderful gardener and cook, and enjoyed going on trail rides on horseback.

She was predeceased by her husband, Elvin Paul Rice; parents, Henry Grady and Tyrrel Rauschenberg; sisters, Rebecca Rauschenberg and Frerida Rauschenberg.

She is survived by her children,  James Paul “Jimmy” Rice and wife, Linda, who was also a devoted daughter-in-law and caretaker, Rebecca Jane Rice; four grandchildren, Jeffery Lee Rice, Michael Shane Rice, Mitzi Lynn Rice, Jesse Franklin Lawler; several great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Spry Memorial Chapel with Bro. Sammy Taylor officiating. Burial was in Mt. View Baptist Church Cemetery.

The pallbearers were son, Jimmy Rice, daughter-in-law, Linda Rice, Casey Stricklin, Mike Madden, Howard Hutcheson and Joey Motes.  Honorary pallbearer was Johnny Bowen.