David Lee Rice

Mr. David Lee Rice, age 81, a resident of Santa Fe, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 28, 2022, due to injuries sustained in a tractor accident.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Keith Baker and David Thomason officiating. Burial will follow in Potts Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM and again on Thursday from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on June 1, 1941, in Columbia, David was the son of the late Arthur Lee Rice and the late Lucy Elizabeth Green Rice. He was a 1959 graduate of Santa Fe High School and worked thirty years in maintenance for Occidental Chemical Company. He was always a hardworking man who enjoyed farm work. He also enjoyed going camping, fishing, listening to bluegrass music, and talking and cutting up with people. Above all, he loved his family, and his daughters were his pride and joy.

He is survived by his children, Teresa (James) Mitchell Black of Santa Fe, Lisa (David) Rice Lovett of Columbia, Joan (Chris) Rice Rochester of Columbia, grandchildren, Evan (Erica) Mitchell, Kayla (Ben) Rochester Thomason, Ashlyn Mitchell, and Zane Hargrove, great grandchildren, Roland Thomason and Aubrey Mitchell, brother, Walter “Sonny” Arthur Rice, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Tommy Ray Mitchell.

Pallbearers will be Evan Mitchell, Zane Hargrove, Ben Thomason, David Thomason, James Black, and Chris Rochester.