Jean Rice

Jean Rice, born September 4, 1930 in Adairsville, GA, died Tuesday, January 7, 2020 in Cumming, GA.  She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fite Casey and was preceded in death by Edward Rice, her husband of 50 years, her brother and sister-in-law, Fite and Anne Casey, Jr., her sister, Margie Young, and her nieces, Harriett Casey and Robin Casey.

Survivors include Frank Young, her brother-in-law of Chamblee, GA, and Harold and Edna Rice, her brother-in-law and his wife, of Rome, GA. Seven nieces and nephews also survive her.

Following graduation from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, Jean began a 36-year career with Cotton Producers Association (the predecessor of Gold Kist, now Pilgrim’s Pride), in 1951 in the public relations department.

In 1959, she became editor of the Dixie Co-op News, which was renamed Gold Kist News in 1969. During her term as editor, Gold Kist News repeatedly won awards for excellence in membership publications. She always said the many awards were because of the great Gold Kist staff.

Jean was named vice president of public relations and advertising in 1972 and in 1981 became vice president of member and public relations, a position she held until she retired in December, 1987.

Gold Kist founder, the late D.W. Brooks in his biography, “A Good Man, A Great Dream”, Characterized Jean as having “the perfect feel for the editing of a farm-oriented journal.” A co-worker once stated that Rice “is at home in a farmer’s hog farrowing house talking about feed formulations as she is on Capitol Hill interviewing the Secretary of Agriculture.”

During her career, Jean received numerous awards including being named an honorary member of the Georgia Young Farmers Association, the Future Farmers of America and 4-H. She was also listed in Who’s Who in American Women and received the Klinefelter Award for outstanding contributions in the field of cooperative communications.

She represented Gold Kist as an officer in several organizations including the National Farm/City Council, Advertising Council of Cooperatives, American Institute of Cooperation, and the Southeastern Chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

Jean was an avid reader, particularly history and biography, and enjoyed playing tennis. She was a member of ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association) for almost 30 years.

She was also a member of First Baptist Church, Cumming and the Unity Sunday School Class.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, January 9, at 1:00 p.m. at Eastview Cemetery in Adairsville with Dr. Bob Jolly officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA 30040 is in charge of arrangements.  Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.