Deborah Rice Whitfield

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Deborah Rice Whitfield a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt to many. Deborah passed away Friday, January 30th, following a short illness at the age of 73 in her home in Dothan, Alabama.

Deborah was born on June 5th, 1952 at Moody Hospital in Dothan, Alabama to Ottie Weed Rice and Eugene Rice. Born and raised in the Dothan area, she was a graduate of Dothan High School. She briefly moved to the Memphis area, working in the trucking industry where she was a devoted and well respected employee for many years. She built her family there and returned to Dothan in later years. She enjoyed tending to her plants, watching Nascar and spending time with her beloved pets over the years.

Along with her parents Ottie and Eugene Rice, Deborah was preceded in death by her brothers Samuel ‘Sammy’ Rice and Brother Donald Ward.

Deborah is survived by her two daughters Tiffany Banks (husband Denny) and Jessica Wicklund; her grandchildren Sawyer and Gracyn Banks; Mercedes Farmer and Casper Wicklund (wife Miranda) and one very special great granddaughter Izabella ‘Bella’ McVay. Deborah shared a unique and exceptional bond with Bella for which she will be deeply missed. Other surviving family includes her two sisters Delores Ward and Pamela Borton and her brother Danny Rice, along with many nieces and nephews and their families.

A celebration of Deborah’s life will be held on Monday, February 9th at 3:00 pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel located at 1700 Barrington Road in Dothan Alabama. Deborah will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park directly following the service.