Marco Rice

The beautiful light of Marco Johnathan Rice, Sr., became known to the world on March 6, 1998, when he was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Shannon Latrice Rice and Marco Johnathan Lackland. He was his parents’ apple of their eye, being the first child and only son. A few years later, Johnathan became the big brother and protector to his beautiful little sister, Madison Shalise, and the second born to his parents. Johnathan was raised in a loving Christian family, coming to know Jesus at an early age. His personality was one to be admired by all his teachers and others with whom he came in contact. In his formative years of education, he attended Graves Elementary and Havenview Middle School. During the fall season, he played on several little league football teams. A Germantown graduate, Class of 2016, he was also a member of the varsity “Red Devils” football team. After graduation, he attended DeVry University. Johnathan was always mannerable, respectful, and polite with a calm spirit. He was taught to say “Yes or No Ma’am/Sir” to anyone in authority or older than him. Even though very quiet and not talkative, Johnathan could light up a room with his contagious smile and beautiful eyes. Being a hard worker, he could be found holding down multiple jobs at one time. In the beginning, he worked for fast food restaurants like most teens. Working in the food industry peaked his interest and began his love for cooking. This love helped him to provide meals for his great-grandmother, Lettie H. Lackland, whom he lived with and took care of until her death. Never wanting to take advantage of anyone, Johnathan’s famous words were “What do I owe you?”, if you ever took him somewhere or did anything for him. The youngest of his cousins, he could be found anytime hanging with Ivory, Duke, Mike, Randall, Tiny, and Uncle Robert or his best friends, Devin, Elijah and Isaac, since second grade. Like the apple of his parent’s eye, Johnathan was the father to the apple of his eye, Marco Johnathan, Jr. Many of his loved ones preceded him in death: great-great-grandparents, Mildred Orange, Willie R. & Lettie Holland; great-grandparents, John & Lettie Lackland, Frederick Motley, Sr.; great-uncles, Darrell and Michael Lackland; great-great-uncles, William L. Holland, Paul A. Holland, Sr.; and cousin, A’oLani Riley. His mother always had aspirations and discussed with him joining the military. He was giving it much consideration. On March 18, 2023, little did she or anyone know, he would receive the ultimate call from the Lord. He could not deny this lifetime tour of duty. Now, he is serving faithfully in the greatest branch of them all “God’s Army” as an Angel of the Lord. Now he is always watching over and with all of his loved ones and friends left on earth. Johnathan leaves to cherish his beautiful memories: his handsome beloved son, Marco Johnathan Jr.; his forever loving mother, Ms. Shannon Latrice, Southaven, MS; father, Marco Johnathan, Las Vegas, NV; beautiful sister, Madison Shalise; grandparents, Eunice and Darryl Wilson, Sr., Memphis, TN, Pamela (Robert) Boyland, Las Vegas, NV, and Ricky Fentress, Olive Branch, MS; aunts, Javae’ (Sean) Riley, Seattle, WA, Shanae Boyland, Las Vegas, NV, and Keshia Harris, Memphis, TN; uncles, Robert Boyland, Jr., Las Vegas, NV, and Darryl Wilson, Jr., Memphis, TN; great-grandmother, Gloria Motley; great-aunts, Charlotte Lackland, Belinda Lackland and Kamla Minor, Memphis, TN; great-uncle, Frederick Motley, Jr., Memphis, TN; great-great-aunts, Pearline Madden & Velma H. Whitelo, Memphis, TN, and Stella H. Sims, San Francisco, CA; great-great-uncles, Clyde Willis, Willie Holland, Jr., & Eddie Holland, all of Memphis, TN, and Fred Holland, Fridley, MN; god-mothers, Ruby Bobo and Trina Watkins; lifetime friends, Elijah Berry, Issac Eggelston, and Devin Green, Memphis, TN; mother of Marco, Jr., Brenna Myers; and a host of cousins and friends who will dearly miss him.

Marco Rice

March 6, 1998 - March 18, 2023