Mildred Delores (Thomas) Rice

Mildred Delores Thomas Rice, age 83, passed away in the District of Columbia, Washington DC on 1 May 2022.

Born 14 May 1938 in Goldsboro, NC), Daughter of Ossie Thomas and Malva Mae Campbell.  Mildred aka Polly lost her mother when she was two years old, and her father remarried Viola Sessoms Thomas, who raised Mildred as her own child. Mildred left Halifax, NC in 1955, shortly after he high school graduation, and joined the “great migration” to Washington DC.  She lived with her sister (Alice Marie Alston (Lee)) until she was introduced to Airman Charles Clinton Rice, who was stationed at Bolling AFB. They married on 14 June 1957, and moved to Fairchild AFB near Spokane, WA. She faithfully accompanied Charles on numerous military assignments from Duluth, MN to Karamursel AB, Turkey, Lajes Field AFB (Azores) Portugal, Andrews AFB, Camp Springs, MD. In 1975, she and Charles retired and settled in Laurel, MD. Mildred resided in Laurel, MD until her death.

Mildred is survived by (her sister, Edith Maxine Brown, her daughters, Carol Frances Rice and Daphney Diahann Waggoner (William) her beloved granddaughter’s Amanda Reginè Waggoner and Ava Rose Waggoner, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Mattie Mae Sessoms and Alice Marie Greene, her husband, Charles Clinton Rice and her son, Charles Corwin Rice.

Visitation at Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. 313 Talbott Ave, Laurel MD on Saturday, May 14 from 10 to 11 AM when the funeral service will begin.  Burial will be at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 1201 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, MD. All relatives and friends are welcome to celebrate Mildred’s homegoing services.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Mildred D. Rice to the American Heart Association, National Center 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75231, American Diabetes Association, 1400 16^th St NW #410, Washington DC 20036, American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite #300, Rockville, MD 20852.

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