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Russell was the passenger of a fatal car accident. He was taken from us on Friday, July 31, 1987. The news of his death came very sudden and unexpected for most of us.
Let's remember Russell's sweet spirit and kind demeanor. Please share any fond memories that you may have of Russell with your classmates.
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Noel Edge (Dennis) (1989)
I can still see Russell running down his driveway to catch the bus in the mornings. He had the bluest eyes I think I've ever seen! He still lives on in his sister's (Shantell) twin girls! They have his white blonde hair and big blue eyes!Deborah Roberts (Harris) (1989)
I can remember exactly where I was when I heard about Russell's death. There were a bunch of us hanging out at the Winn Dixie parking lot in E-town on a Friday night. I hadn't really known Russell that long, but I remember how devestating it was for me- for all of us. It was comforting to be surrounded by friends that night. I remember walking in the door that night and just falling down and sobbing. He was so young, so innocent... it just didn't seem fair. It made me realize that we are not guaranteed tomorrow and that we shouldn't take a single second for granted.We miss you Russell.
Jonathan Herring (1990)
When I saw the “memories” page, I was hesitant to post anything about Russell, because I knew it would rekindle memories of his death. However, growing up, Russell Rice was one of my closest friends, and I knew him long before I went to Tar Heel.Where to begin? Growing up in White Oak, many Sunday afternoons were spent with Chris and the Jones Brothers. :-) The rest of the time was spent with Russell. I can't really remember a time that I DIDN'T know Russell. We were, in many ways, like brothers. Russell was as much a part of my family as I was a part of his. We called each others' mothers "Mom". Any rule laid out by either of our fathers was expected to be followed by both of us. Summer days were spent riding motorcycles through the woods and pastures; evenings were spent at each others' houses; or camping along the creek. We learned to swim in that creek, where the water was the color (and often it seemed the temperature) of iced tea. We fished together, explored the river banks together, got into trouble together, fought with each other, and we were there for each other. Troubles were shared with each other. We asked each other hard questions and gave each other honest answers; at least in as much as two young boys could. I always knew that I could count on him.
It seems that nearly every childhood memory...from playing in the "Sandpile" as a little kid, to finding arrow heads at a small construction site beside the creek, to working in my Grandmother's yard, involved Russell. Our adventures together lead to many funny stories, but one that I will share is this: On a Saturday afternoon Russell and I had been riding motorcycles up and down the dirt road that was near my house. We'd spent a couple of hours doing our best to "leave our mark" by cutting doughnuts in the dirt. We were headed back to my house when we saw the patrol car, blue lights and all. Jimmy Anderson, my parents’ neighbor and the only State Trooper that either of us knew, stopped us. We’d tried to hide behind a barn, but I guess he knew us pretty well, because it took him all of 30 seconds to find us. (Pitiful hiding skills, especially for a couple of young kids our age!!) Mr. Anderson had a discussion with us about "destroying state property". I can still remember him, looking and sounding very authoritative in his uniform, “Do you boys know how much it’ll cost to have a crew come out here and smooth this road?” We honestly didn’t know we’d done anything wrong.
Then, he told us to get in the car. That’s when it really hit us both that we were in some kind of trouble! But, instead of taking us to the court house in E-town--which he’d threatened to do--he took us to my house and found my father....because he knew my Dad would deal with both of us. (Okay, it wasn't funny at the time, but after the dust settled, it was. And to be completely honest, Dad let us off pretty easy once all was said and done.)
I too, remember well the day that Russell died. It was a typical Friday afternoon in White Oak. I'd called Russell's house earlier to ask if he wanted to do anything that night. (At this point, Russell had his license, so he drove when we went anywhere. I wasn’t quite 15.) His Mom told me he'd gone out and that she was expecting him home shortly. So, I did what I always did when I had time on my hands...I went motorcycle riding. Leaving the house, I heard a bunch of sirens and knew something had happened, although at the time, I had no idea what was going on. (In White Oak, sirens are VERY rare.) I stayed close to home, only riding for a little while, with Jeremy Walters, who lived across the road from me. As I was headed back to the house, a neighbor stopped us and told us an accident had occurred, and that it involved Russell. His information was only partially correct, though. He had told me that Russell was in the hospital and that his cousin had died at the scene. I went on home, told my parents, and then it seems everything happened at once....the phone rang, people started coming over, etc., etc.
I remember going to Russell's house that night and seeing countless people. The yard was full of cars, people were everywhere. I still remember his Dad finding me and hugging me and his crying. I’d never seen such a bear of a man cry before. I remember his Mom and Sister, and how it appeared as if time had completely stopped for them. I remember every detail of the weekend…of the funeral. I remember thinking I’d never seen as many people in White Oak. I remember the church feeling absolutely claustrophobic, and how I wanted nothing more than to leave. I remember I didn’t really cry until the graveside….and then I cried uncontrollably. I still remember these and other details, as if it were just last week. I remember how the next year at school was very hard, because even though I had plenty of friends, I’d lost the one friend I’d really grown up with.
I can remember times when I'd pick up the phone and start to call Russell, because I'd have something I'd want to talk to him about, only to remember what had happened. Even today, it all seems surreal.
I will add this, though. Several months before his death, there was a revival at one of the churches in White Oak. I remember Russell making a commitment of faith; of accepting Christ as his Savior. And I cling to that, because I know that I'll see him again.
Russell was barely old enough to be called a young man when he died. He was full of potential. Much of my early life was shaped by him. Today, 22 years later, I wonder what life would be like now if he were still around. Would we still be close? Would we have drifted apart? Would he be married? Would his children have those bright blue eyes and white-blond hair? Would they be as mischievous as their Dad? (I would certainly hope so!) Many questions…never to be answered.
I hope that people remember Russell more for his kind demeanor, mischievous spirit, and sincere kindness….than just the fact that he died much too early.
We should all be reminded that life is, indeed, very short. We never know just how much time we have been given. It sounds cliché, but every day is truly a gift. Love your family and friends...you never know what tomorrow may hold.
Cathenia Johnson (1988)
What can I say? I remember thinking I heard Russell's name on a pre-empt of the news. I remember stopping everything I was doing and waiting to see if I had heard the wrong name. Sure enough it was true. A well-mannered, kind-hearted friend had passed on. Ladies, do we not remember that he had the most beautiful, intense eyes?I use to love Russell when we were in the kindergarten. We had a huge clown on the wall with no teeth. Each of our names were on a tooth. Every morning, Mrs. Edge or Mrs. Osborne would ask had we brushed our teeth. If we said yes, our tooth would go into the clown's mouth. We could count on that clown missing at least one tooth everyday. Whether he brushed his teeth or not he would say "No." Then the one day he said yes and we just new the clown had a complete smile that day, not so. Russell went back and told the teacher that he hadn't and out came the tooth and the return of our snaggled tooth clown!!
You might wonder why out of all of the memories, I chose to share this one. Our hearts are often heavy and we cry when we go down memory lane, but I wanted to lighten the mood and make you laugh, like Russell would have.
I remember and love Russell too because he and my cousin, Tyrone Lewis(deceased now too) played together(in and outside of class) like brothers. I hope they have crossed paths again.
Remember friends, death is the fault of noone. Before, we are even born, it is predestined how and when we will die.
Left with loving memories always
Cathenia