Mildred Rice

Mildred Trawick Rice, 94, died Sunday, February 28, 2010, at her residence following a brief illness.

She was the daughter of the late Mera Gober and Paul B. Trawick and was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, George Erskine Rice. She was a member of the Commerce First United Methodist Church and of its Ruth-Naomi Sunday School class. She was also founding member of the Cold Sassy Players, was active in the Pine Tree Garden Club, the Study Club and the Book Vine, all of Commerce.

A journalism graduate of the University of Georgia, she enjoyed an early career in the field of advertising in Atlanta. After years as a dedicated parent and homemaker, she returned to school, earned a master’s degree in education, and with two colleagues, pioneered in team teaching for the Carle Place School District on Long Island.

Survivors include children, Susan Rice Harper, Commerce, David Erskine Rice, Raleigh, N.C., and Emily Rice Reynolds and husband Stephen F. Reynolds, Barrington, Ill.; grandchildren, Chad H. Harper, Albany, N.Y., Daniel Erskine Harper, Glendale, Calif., and Caroline Reynolds, Barrington, Ill.; and nephew and ward Howard Templeton, Corvallis, Ore.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 5, at 2 p.m., at the Commerce First United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Bowen officiating. Burial will be at Commerce’s Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, March 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Commerce First United Methodist Church or the building fund of the Commerce Public Library.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.