Virginia Blondell "Big Mama" Rice

Virginia Blondell “Big Mama” Rice, age 88, passed away Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at the Bells Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral Services will be conducted Friday, May 7, 2021 at 11:30 AM at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Bells, TN with Bro. Josh Simmons officiating. Visitation will be Friday, May 7, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Cross Roads Baptist Church. Burial for Mrs. Rice will be at Oak View Memorial Park in Bells, TN. She was born on March 27, 1933 to George Bryan Jernigan and Margaret Jett Williams Jernigan, who preceded her in death. She loved her family and found great joy spending time with her loved ones. She was a longtime member of Crossroads Baptist Church in Bells, TN. She worked at Wells Lamont as a seamstress for nearly 27½ years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Doris Rice; three brothers, George Frank Jernigan, Morris Teague Jernigan, Rondel Jernigan; three sisters, Odean Eubanks Putnam, Christine Putnam, Marveline Emison and one grand-son-in-law, Russell Schwarz. She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Looney (Jim) of Bells, TN; three grandchildren, Cande Wright (Boyd), Kim Schwarz-Smith (Adam), and Denise Dupre (Ricky); great-grandchildren, Hayes Wright (Cassidy), Peyton Wright Combs (Hayden), Kaitlyn Schwarz Dennis (Willie), Avery Schwarz, Nolan Schwarz, Jaxie Smith, Brayden Smith, Austin Lonon, Dawson Chandler, Anna Catherine Chander; and two great-great grandchildren, Declan James Dennis and Russell “Russ” David Combs. Pallbearers for the service are Hayes Wright, Avery Schwarz, Austin Lonon, Dawson Chandler, Nolan Schwarz, Brayden Smith, Hayden Combs and Willie Dennis. Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Howell, Wayne Jernigan and Mike Jernigan. The family request in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. All arrangements and services are under the direction of Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.