Joe Louis Rice was born on July 19, 1931 to Francis and Henry Rice of Hardyville, KY. His father, Henry was a farmer and his mother was a regular housewife. Daddy Joe, as I call him, was the oldest of 10 children. He had 6 brothers and 3 sisters. One brother died after living only three days. Today, his brothers and sisters reside in the states of Kentucky, Ohio, and New York. My grandfathers describes his family as being a very close-knit family while growing up. He told me that being the oldest allowed him to have a very close relationship with all of his brothers and sisters. He stated, When my father died, I was only 33. Some of my brothers and sisters were still teenagers. I felt the responsibility to step in and play an authority father-like figure.
My grandfather has always been a very hard-working man. In the interview, he stated that his first real job was when he was 12 years old in a drug store. His responsibilities included fixing ice-cream cones, floats, and sundaes for the customers. My grandfather attended school up until grade 6. He explained to me the difficulty in going to school because he had to work to help take care of the family. He felt this was his responsibility because he was the oldest. Because of this, my grandfather cant read or write as well as someone with a high-school diploma. He feels that not finishing school is the biggest mistake he ever made. He has encouraged all of his children and grandchildren to get a high-school diploma, and if possible graduate from college. He has most definitely been a huge supporter as well as donator to my college education.
My grandfather describes a storybook childhood where he would walk about 9 miles to and from school each day. He also explained the closeness of his family. When he was a teenager, he would sometimes have to take his youngest brother, Tom on his dates when his parents were out. His mother would give him the option of taking his little brother with him or staying at home. I asked my grandfather what kind of house they had out while growing up. He describes his house as a 400-acre farm. I figured that by being African American and growing up during the time of prejudice that their house would have been very small, almost non-existent. My grandfather went on to explain that they lived on a farm that belonged to a white man. The white man had left the country on business, and my grandfathers family was to take care of the farm and all the animals. In return, they could live there for free. My grandfather told me that his family lived there for over 6 years. On the farm, they raised cattle, corn, tobacco, and my grandfathers most favorite sheep. He describes one of his chores while growing up was skinning the sheep for their wool.
Daddy Joe married his life long partner in 1952. Her named was Dora Bee Nuckols. To that union, three daughters were born. The first is my mother, Vanessa then Joann and Teresa. My grandfather worked in the Black Top and Cement Paving business for many years. In 1957, the year his first daughter was born, my grandparents moved to Baltimore, Maryland. My grandfather had received a job that was paying good money constructing an interstate road. It was here that he suffered an accident on the job that resulted in the loss of his right leg. My grandfather has lived with an artificial leg for over 44 years. His leg had to be cut off right above the knee. This loss has not harmed him or made him less in anyway. My grandfather feels that the loss of his leg has made him a stronger person.
After the accident, he spent many weeks in the John Hopkins Hospital in Maryland recuperating and going through extensive physical therapy. Two years after the accident in 1959, he and his family moved back to the area of Hart Co., KY. The next year, his second daughter, Joann was born, and it was time for my mother to start school. My grandfather, now at the age of 28 had to find a way to support his family. He and my grandmother then purchased a little building that was next to their house, and opened up a neighborhood store. The building is still standing today. In this store, they sold groceries. My grandfather stated in the interview that the store was not a success because most people had access to these products because they owned their own farm. Still, they kept the store opened for many years.
In 1960, after being back into Kentucky for one year, my grandfather got another job working with black top paving for Henry Farris. My grandfather worked for Mr. Farris for many years until Mr. Farriss death in the 70s. Afterwards, my grandfather worked as head foreman in Elizabethtown for David Sealing and Paving. He worked there until he retired in 1992. He was forced to retire because he was diagnosed with a bad case of diabetes and extremely high blood pressure. The doctor told him that it was extremely dangerous for him to work in the sun. He has been retired now for 7 years. My grandfather has taking up fishing since retiring in 1992. He tells us that fishing gives him the opportunity to relax, and besides fish is one of his favorite foods.
Last year, my grandfather had a light heart attack. He stated in the interview that he was surprised that it was diagnosed as a heart-attack because he thought while eating, he had gotten a piece of cheese stuck in his throat. Lastly, my grandfather states that if he could do one thing differently it would be to graduate from high school.
I really enjoyed doing this oral history because my grandfather is such a special person to me. He has been a great influence and a constant supporter of all of my decisions. He helps me to fulfill my goals, and always offers a word of encouragement. My grandfather has been the only father figure that I have ever known, and its like saying that I am Daddys Little Girl.
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