Rice, Constance Camille Brantley was born July 4, 1941 to the union of Gerald Brantley, Sr. and Mamie Kelso Brantley in St. Louis Missouri. She was the first of three children born to this union. Her father, Gerald Brantley, Sr., and brother, Gerald Brantley, preceded her in death. Constance was baptized at Washington Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in 1941, with the support of her great-aunt Pearl Ambrose and her grandmother Beulah K. Allen. Her faith in Christ was evident at a young age and she became a faithful servant of the Lord. Constance was united in Holy Matrimony to Walter Rice on October 15, 1962. From this union two children were born: Walter A. Rice and Tonya K. Rice. She was a very loving mother. Constance graduated from Patrick Henry Elementary School, Soldan High School, University of South Florida, and she received her M.A. from Maryville College. With this education, she was a dedicated elementary school teacher who touched many lives. She taught elementary school in Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Germany for the Department of Defense. In July 1982, she was awarded the United States Army Certificate of Appreciation for her own unselfish, faithful and devoted service, on the occasion of retirement. Constance then served 26 years as a teacher for Hazelwood School District, and she retired from Hazelwood School District in June 2010. She loved teaching, all the students, and colleagues throughout her career in education. After retiring, she remained an active member of the N.E.A. Constance was a dedicated member of Washington Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion church and she faithfully served as an usher for many years. She was also an active prison ministry volunteer with Residents Encounter Christ, Missouri REC Program. Constance also loved to travel, garden, cook and open her home as a hostess to others. She greatly loved her church, community and family. God called Constance home Thursday, December 1, 2011. She is now enjoying eternal peace that God provides. Constance leaves to celebrate her life a loving son Walter (Tony), daughter Tonya, mother Mamie Brantley, sister, Sandra Whitley, nephew Hubert Whitley and niece Leontyne Whitley; She also has a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins from the Rice Family; many wonderful friends and extended family. Services: Visitation will take place on Monday, 12/5/11 at Layne Renaissance Chapel, from 4-7 PM, and funeral services will take place on Tuesday, 12/6/11 at 10:00 AM at Washington Metropolitan AME Zion Church. Internment: Calvary Cemetery.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) - Monday, December 5, 2011.