A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held for Mr. Robert E. “Rooster” Grice at Curtis and Son Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon, September 24, at 4:00 p.m. Presiding will be Reverend Don Grice. Visitation will follow the service.
Mr. Grice passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at his home in Sylacauga. He was born on October 13, 1936 in Sylacauga. His parents were the late Talmadge and Maggie Gray Grice.
Rooster attended Main Avenue Elementary School and was a 1955 graduate of Sylacauga High School. At SHS he was a star running back and a co-captain for the 1954 Aggie Class 2-A State Champions. During his senior year he was named 1st Team All County and was an Honorable Mention All State player. He also played baseball.
After graduation he received a scholarship to Itawamba Junior College in Fulton, Mississippi, where he played football for two years.
After Itawamba he enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a member of the 82nd Airborne and was stationed in Germany for several months.
Returning home, he enrolled in Alabama College (now the University of Montevallo) where he received a BS degree in the school of business.
The majority of his business career was spent with Avondale Mills in the personnel department and in the manufacturing division.
He is survived by a son, Kelly (Brenda Tyler) Grice, and a niece, Nikki Harris, both of Sylacauga, by nephews, Jason Grice, Walt Bolton, and by several cousins. Also surviving are many special friends, including Phyllis Cooper, Stacy Arnold, Lee Myrick, and Reverend Michael Wilson.
Mr. Grice was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Catherine McEwen, and his brother, Ronald “Cotton” Grice.
Honorary Pallbearers will be: Ralph Moseley, Lt. General (Ret.) James W. Crysel, Buddy Simpkins, Ray McDiarmid, Earl Lewis, Dan Stagner, David Irby, Don Machen, Cayce Rumsey, Mike Mizzell, Lathan Hudson, James Sharbutt, Philip Partridge, Richard Burton, John J. Jones, Mike Deason, and Cracker Waldrop, Casey Yoder, and Walter Livingston.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rooster's memory may be made to Sylacauga Animal Shelter; The Care House of Sylacauga; and The S Club Alumni Association.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.curtisandsonfh.com for the Grice family. Curtis and Son North to direct.
