India Marie (High) Rice

India Marie High Rice was born July 16, 1934, in Emporia, Virginia, to the late George Warner and Amanda High.  She departed this life peacefully on November 5, 2021, at the age of 87, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, South Carolina.

As a former Family Assistant in Brooklyn at Bushwick High School for the NYC Department of Education, India touched many lives and her generosity knew no bounds.  Everyone who met or knew India could see and feel her loving spirit, and they would immediately gravitate towards her.

India met her husband, Mack David Rice, in New York City. He retired, and they relocated to his hometown Anderson, South Carolina.  She joined her husband’s church Mount Pleasant and became actively involved in several capacities, including the choir and working with young people, as well as adults. India enjoyed reading her Bible and did so each year from Genesis to Revelations. She would quote the scriptures and was always eager to have a conversation about the Bible. She used every opportunity to spread God’s word with whomever she met. India contributed to many organizations, especially those involving children, food for the poor, and other charitable groups. She would give you her shirt off her back.

When Mack became terminally ill, India took exceptional care of him at home and was awarded Caregiver of the Year in 2002. In 2005 Mack succumbed to his illness.

Remarkable is the word that will come to mind when you think of India. She was a great wife, mother, daughter and friend to everyone she met. She enjoyed life and believed in treating everyone with kindness and expected the same in return. India raised all five of her children to be respectful, responsible, and always give thanks for whatever they received.  She taught them to know nothing is without God’s grace and mercy.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Amanda High, her first husband Jessie Robinson, her brothers George Edward High, William High, Willie B. High, James High and her sisters Ruth Roberts, Mertise Powell, Lucille Ingram and her only son Jessie Wayne Robinson in 2015.

She is survived by her daughters Pattie Jane Robinson of Georgia, Julie Marie Robinson of South Carolina, Betty Jean Robinson of New York and Amanda Leigh Candidate Strong (Morris) of New Jersey. She was the proud grandmother of ten grandchildren Erica Robinson, Nadia Robinson, Darryl Moore, Nicole Robinson, Jordan Robinson, Christopher Robinson, Leland Candidate, India Candidate, Celina Strong, and Tyler Strong and nine great-grandchildren, as well as siblings Hattie Sue Gooden (Robert), and a brother Samuel High (Liza), and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Public viewing will be held on Friday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Anderson, SC.  

The family is at the home.

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