Funeral services for David Lafayette Rice, Jr. will be held at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home on Friday, May 2, 2014. There will be an opportunity to visit with the family from 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by a graveside service for the family.
David passed from this life on April 25th at Providence Hospital in Mobile, AL. He was 87 years old. David was a faithful member of the Market Street Church of Christ since 1960. He was born September 25, 1926 and grew up in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi where he graduated from Charleston High School before serving in the military during World War II. He returned to study at Mississippi State University where he earned a degree in Business. He married Martha Margaret Bailey upon graduation in 1950. They lived and worked in several locations including Memphis, TN; Huntsville, AL; and Saudi Arabia before retiring.
David is predeceased by his beloved wife Martha, his parents Nannie Elizabeth Burnett Rice and David Lafayette Rice, Sr. of Oakland, MS; his brothers Earl Rice of Pittsburg, PA; Jim Rice of El Dorado, AR; his sisters Bennye Chatham McDaniel of Port Gibson, MS; and Elizabeth Bryant of Maryville, TN. He is survived by his brothers Dr. Walter Rice of Jackson, TN; and Dr. Edwin Rice of Huntsville, AL; and sister, Marion Nell Meade of Starkville, MS.
He is loved and will be missed by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Children: Martha Elizabeth “Beth” Rice of Sacramento, CA; David Lafayette Rice III and wife Cindy Odom Rice of Laurel, MS; Amy Rice Henry and husband Louis Godfrey Henry, Jr. of Mobile, AL. Grandchildren: William Bailey Rice and wife Ashley of Laurel, MS; Andrew George Rice and fiancée Lindsay Wright of Nashville, TN; Annalee Rice Patrick and husband Chad Patrick of Laurel, MS; Louis Alexander “Alex” Henry of Mobile, AL; and Lydia Michelle Henry of Mobile, Al. Great grandchildren: MaryCollis Malone Patrick and Pennington Edmund Patrick.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you consider a donation to the Martha Margaret Bailey Rice Music Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to the Mississippi University for Women. Please send donations to 1100 College Street, Box W-1518, Columbus, MS 39701.
