Daphne Brown Rice, 82, born Oct. 26, 1926 in Starkville, Miss., a resident of Gulf Shores, died peacefully Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Robertsdale Healthcare Center with her husband by her side.
She graduated from Lee County High School in 1944 and Auburn University in 1948, Phi Kappa Phi, with a degree in home economics. Her senior year she also studied voice and sang in the first opera production at Auburn University.
She ran the Auburn snack bar the year she graduated and was also a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.
She was a devoted wife, mother, and member of the community, raising funds for everything from baseball uniforms to an organ for the church.
She was a member of St. Andrew by the Sea Community Church in Gulf Shores where she sang in the choir. She was also a member of the DAR. She loved her friends in Auburn, LaGrange, and Gulf Shores with whom she enjoyed bridge club and participating in many activities at the church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle Brown and Lillian Mullina Brown, and a brother, Frances Brown.
Survivors include her husband of 61 years Sam Rice; two children, Patton Rice of Mandeville, La., and Allison (Thomas) Ficht of College Station, Texas; and three grandchildren, Hannah Rice of Mandeville, Sean Ficht and Eric Ficht of College Station.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 1 at Pine Funeral Home in Foley. A memorial service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 2 at St. Andrew by the Sea, 17263 Fort Morgan Road, Gulf Shores.
Arrangements are by Pine Rest Funeral Home Inc., Foley.
