JESSIE RAY HOLMES BRICE, 89, of Easton, Maryland, was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Jessie was born on November 25, 1936, in Talbot County, Maryland. She was the daughter of the late Emily Mae Murray Banks and James Greene, Sr., and was raised by her mother and James Henry Banks. She was educated in the Talbot County Public Schools. Jessie is often remembered in a photograph with her teacher, Ms. Martha Ray Greene, and the Unionville, Maryland class of 1948.

Jessie was honored for more than 40 years of service and for her faithful missionary work in both the church and the community. Her labor of love included a wide range of service to her family and community. She served as a Missionary for 15 years at Mount Pisgah Holy Church, worked for 20 years as a Pastor's Aide, and served for 10 years as Mistress of Ceremonies for various services and choir anniversaries. Her distinctive foot-stomping rhythm became known as a metronome, helping everyone find their right notes as they lifted their voices in song. She also participated in the Women in White Services, traveling from town to town for early Sunday morning worship. These gatherings allowed the women to fellowship together before returning to their home churches inspired and reignited to praise the Lord.

Evangelist Brice involved her own family in ministry, grooming them for greater works in God's Kingdom by making them a part of serving the community through clothing giveaways and sharing excess dry goods. She and her husband, Harold, traveled far and near, spreading kindness by delivering truckloads of clothing and food to those less fortunate and to other ministries that worked together to serve those in need.

She met and married Harold Samuel Brice, Sr. on December 29, 1951, and they shared over 74 years of marriage. From this union they were blessed with six children—four daughters and two sons. They began their family while living in Ivytown and, throughout their years together, made their homes in Trappe, Harmony, the Doverbrook Apartments, and ultimately Brookwood Avenue in Easton, Maryland.

Jessie's employment history included domestic and childcare work for several local families, including Mrs. Gwendolyn Massey of Howells Point, Bill Veeck, owner of the Chicago White Sox, Nathan Landow, Vernon Whitely, and Calman Zamoiski. At the conclusion of each position, Jessie received outstanding recommendations from her employers, who praised her exceptional cooking, housekeeping, creativity, ability to make "something out of nothing," and especially her famous crab cakes.

In 2007, Jessie became one of the Charter Members of Emmanuel Deliverance Center, Inc., where her Ministry of Helps continued to impact both the young and senior members of the church and community.

Jessie was well known for her heartfelt testimony and the joyful sound of her tambourine at every service. Among her many cherished accomplishments were participating in the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, receiving the Missionary of the Year Award in 2000 at the National Missionary Convention of Mt. Sinai, and singing with the Mount Pisgah Ensemble.

In addition to her parents, Jessie was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Christina Mae Dorsey; her son-in-law, Donnell T. Redd; seven brothers, Charles Thomas Slaughter, James Pearson, John Slaughter, Sr., Louis Banks, William Sewell, Sylvester Holmes, and Calvin Holmes; and three sisters, Emily Cotton, Eugenia Cooper and Wilsie Greene.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories her devoted husband, Harold Samuel Brice, Sr.; three daughters, Sandra Brice Redd, Victoria Brice, and Jesstina Taylor (Wilson), all of Easton, Maryland; two sons, Orville Stephen Brice (Kim) of Easton, Maryland and Harold Brice, Jr. (Cathy) of Preston, Maryland; thirteen grandchildren: Laine Conaway, Linore Brice Finney (Tyron), Keara Brice, Megan Morton (Eric), Lance Wilson (Damika), Harold Brice III (Ashley), Olivia Brice, Stephen Brice (Eliza), Karlissa Redd, Marlissa Redd, Catie Foster (Jarnell), Adrian Brice (Taryn), and Avery Brice; twenty-five great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; her Goddaughter, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell (Dallas) of Chicago, Illinois; bonus daughters, Betty Ann Johnson of Aberdeen, Maryland, Juanita Wharton Church (Irvin) of Easton, Maryland, Hilda Holmes of Salisbury, Maryland, and Laura Mae Stern (Leonard) of Preston, Maryland; one bonus son, James Fladger of Allentown, Pennsylvania; brothers, Oliver Holmes and Arthur Banks (Francine); two sisters-in-law, Louise Brice of New Castle, Delaware and Betty Brice of Easton, Maryland; and a special cousin, Naomi Harrion, all of Easton, Maryland, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.