Denise Guerin Rice

Denise Guerin Rice, of Decatur, Georgia, died March 9, 2017 with her family at her side. She was the daughter of Henry Haworth and Josephine D. Guerin, born during the August hurricane of 1928 in Melbourne, Florida and raised in the beachtown of Indiatlantic, enjoying a childhood rich in the outdoor activities of swimming, bicycling and sailing.

After receiving an Associate's Degree in Art from the University of South Carolina and Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Georgia she worked in the design and construction field for a short time before taking a position with C&S Bank. While at the bank she obtained her teaching certification at Georgia State University with advanced Education courses at Emory. She later taught elementary school in Melbourne and Fulton and DeKalb counties. It was at the bank that she met Richard Henry Rice and they were married in 1955.

Denise had many interests and hobbies. She was passionate about family history, authoring several genealogy books and maintaining an active role in numerous hereditary societies. She served her community in many ways with an early start as a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor for the airmen at Patrick Air Force Base. She was a Girl Scout leader for eight years, long-time member of Clairmont Presbyterian Church and a performer with the Splashdancers, a senior synchronized swim team, for fourteen years, earning three gold medals at the Georgia Games. She enjoyed the outdoors - hiking, canoeing, and camping. Travel was a special pleasure for Denise and Richard resulting in many trips to Europe, Canada and touring nearly every one of our 50 states. In her spare time, she would pick up one of her creative projects; painting, sewing, quilting, or knitting lap rugs for the VA Hospital. Never an unkind word to say of anyone, she was a caring and loyal friend to many.

Denise is preceded in death by her husband and half-siblings, Bill, Sally and Fred. She is survived by her three children; Bryant Guerin, Anne and Susan, their spouses; John Clever and Tom Deal, grandchildren; David and Faye Clever, and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a graveside service for the family at Westview Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033