W. Douglas Rice

W. Douglas Rice, 84, of Newbern, died Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at Methodist Healthcare-Dyersburg Hospital.

He was retired owner of Doug Rice & Sons Mechanical Contractors, a deacon and 50 year member of Newbern First Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge #285 and 32nd Degree Mason. He held every office in the Masonic Fraternity in the State of Tennessee up to and including York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine and Grand Master of all Masons in the State of Tennessee by serving as the 1987 Grand Master.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Phipps and Brother Laddie Owens officiating. Burial will be in Dyer County Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive visitors at 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda Gentry of Newbern and Carol Denise Wright of Jonesboro, Ark.; two sons, Donald Allan Rice of Bartlett and Thomas Lynn Rice of Newbern; two sisters, Peggy Davis of Newbern and Velma Hair of Winnsboro, Texas; three brothers, Alvin rice of Indiana, Edgar Rice of Crossville and Howard Rice of Florida; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maggie Mae Rice; his parents, Walter Harrison and Millie Jackson Rice; a sister, Louise Olson; and a brother, George Ric e. Pallbearers will be Bill Ables, Chris Wright, Jon Gentry, Brian Rice, Shad Mallard and Barry Thompson.

The family request that any memorials be directed to the charity of the donor's choice.