His Corn Sheller Mesmerized Mother

Mother’s Uncle Ernest Rice

            This Saturday, September 21, will mark the 131^st birthday of Ernest Emil Rice. He often signed his business “E.E. Rice.” He was married to my grandmother’s older sister, Daisy Dean Rainey. (To read about their wedding day, access the blog posting entitled Some Weddings Aren’t Perfect at https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2016/02/some-weddings-arent-perfect.html) My mother, as an only child, visited frequently to play with their youngest son, Virgil. (To access a tribute to Virgil Rice, click on https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/05/an-example-of-humility-and-excellence.html )

                Mother reminisced of the innovativeness of her Uncle Ernest. As a little one, she was fascinated by watching him shell the corn he grew. The ear of corn was placed in an opening of the sheller. A handle was turned at the side. Lo and behold, out came kernels of corn. Her parents had to shell their corn by hand, even the popcorn they grew. Mother thought her Uncle Ernest was remarkably clever, finding the “smart” way to do his farm tasks.

            Mother witnessed his constructive parenting. He was instructive, fair, and consistent. Her aunt, Ernest’s wife, loved her children and might err on the side of permissiveness. 

Ernest, Daisy and Dean Rice from Gladys Rainey Smith's
Collection - Mother often said her cousin, Orlean, the oldest
son of Ernest and Daisy, reminded her in his appearance and
temperament of her uncle.

            One stormy night, Mother was staying with the Rice family. Ernest directed Elmer, his middle son, to get his chores done before the storm hit. Her teenage cousin delayed doing the chores until the inclement weather arrived. His father said simply, “Go get the chores done.”

Aunt Daisy began wringing her hands, lamenting her cherished son being forced into the beating rain and blustery wind. Mother said Uncle Ernest answered her tersely, “I told him to do it early.”

This small glimpse into his parenting was reflected in his children. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren have benefitted from this consistent discipline style resulting in the necessary stick-to-itiveness to instill character for ensuring success in living.

Mother recalled Uncle Ernest handling family finances. He advised Aunt Daisy, "Don't buy something just because it's on sale. Just buy what you need." (People do go broke trying to save 50-75% off purchases.)
 Not only did he manage the family money, but often he made purchases for the home eliminating stress on Aunt Daisy. This enabled her to concentrate on the enormous job of being a keeper of the home and rearing their six children.

As his quiet little niece, Mother noticed her uncle’s morning ritual the innumerable times she stayed with them. He awoke at 5 a.m., put the coffee pot on the stove, and then sat down to smoke. He was only 60 years old when he died of cancer of the throat and lungs according to Grandma's diary entry the night of his death on June 18, 1949. 

            I have chosen to conclude this posting with writing by my grandmother, Gladys Vivian Rainey. She developed a close relationship with her brother-in-law because as a trained nurse, she stayed many days with him during his numerous hospitalizations.

Grandma came into a relationship with Jesus as an adult. She never forgot what it meant to be “lost” or “dead in one’s sin.” She became a “radical fanatic” in her speech and focus for making sure her loved ones knew how to have their sins forgiven. She shared faithfully for a couple of decades with Ernest - a moral man, a devoted husband, and a good father – his need for Jesus.

Grandma served as the Belford community correspondent, writing the news of the week for publication in The Fairfax Chief. These are the words she wrote following her brother-in-law’s death in June of 1949.

          In January 1949, Ernest accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior, realizing that nothing but faith in the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ could save man from his sins. Ernest’s one desire was that sinners would accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, while there was yet time.

  An afterthought -Ernest Rice has descendants whose morning ritual begins with Bible reading and prayer that sets the tone for the day and establishes an attitude to propel them through it as well. They share the same desire that was birthed in their grandfather and great grandfather the last six months of his life. They pray that each family member and friend internalize the life-changing faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.