Donnie "Don" Dewey Rice

Donnie "Don" Dewey Rice, Jr., 92, of Mt. Pleasant, SC and formerly of North Myrtle Beach, died peacefully on March 28, 2018, at East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant. Don was born January 4, 1926 in Anderson, South Carolina, son of the late Donnie Dewey Rice, Sr. and Nellie Ann Strickland Rice. He graduated from Boys High in Anderson in 1942 and from Clemson University in 1948 with a degree in Textile Engineering. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

On May 26, 1945 Don married his high school sweetheart, Betty Dunlap Rice. Don and Betty worked and lived in the Carolinas. Don had a career in Textiles where he served as Chairman of The Board of Associated Industries. He retired as a Vice President from National Spinning Company in Whiteville, NC and moved to Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach. The Rice's were active members of First Baptist Church in North Myrtle Beach for many years where he was a Lifetime Deacon and taught the Dorcus Sunday School Class.

Papa Don, as he was named by his grandchildren, was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 70 years, Betty Mae Dunlap Rice "Bett". He is survived by his daughter, Ann Rice Phillips (Don) of Newnan, Ga; his sons Donnie Dewey Rice, III, Matthews, NC, (the late Becky Rice) and Joseph Fred Rice (Lisa) of Mt Pleasant, SC. He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, Laura Phillips Murphy (Jack), Charleston, SC; David Morrison Phillips (Val) Atlanta, GA; Stephen Nilington Phillips (Katie) Raleigh, NC; Ann Estelle Rice Ervin (Tucker), Mt Pleasant SC; Caroline Elizabeth Rice, Matthews, NC, five great grandsons, John Joseph Murphy V "Finn", Andrew Rice Phillips "Andy", Elijah James Phillips "Eli", Beckett Rice Ervin and William Davis Kerr and a great granddaughter Elizabeth Nilington Murphy "Bett". He is also survived by his sister, Denelle Rice Holland of Conway, SC. He was preceded in death by his brother, Perry Rice.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at the J. HENRY STUHR, INC. MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Entombment with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park 2609 US 29, Anderson, SC 29621

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be designated for Hope House, in Don's memory, in care of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 302 Hibben Street, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843)-884-4612; or First Baptist Church of North Myrtle Beach, 200 Hwy. 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582: (843)249-2448.