Claire
Claire Fontaine Rice
d. January 7, 2018
Claire Fontaine Rice
Greenville, SC
Claire Fontaine Rice, 84, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 7, 2018 surrounded by family. She was born on November 13th, 1933, in Shreveport, LA to Ruby Brown and John Edward Fontaine. They moved to Beaumont, then to Houston, Texas. She graduated from Lamar High School and attended Mary Baldwin College.
On her way to Virginia for her freshman year, she stopped in Greenville to visit her aunt, Frances Allen Green, where she met the neighbor who would soon become the love of her life. She married Frank Towers Rice, Sr. on June 25, 1955, celebrating over 62 years together. They began their life in Surf City, NC, Carlisle, SC, and Pensacola, FL before settling in Greenville. Claire was a kind and gentle soul, a devout Christian who committed her life to being a loving wife, caring mother, and friend to many. One of Claire's greatest joys was spending time with her family, especially hosting in Little Switzerland and Pawleys Island.
Claire was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she belonged to the R.N. Ward Sunday School Class and was a founding member of the Thursday Morning Prayer Group. She was a Circle Coordinator and member of many Circles, the latest being at the Foothills Community, where they resided.
Claire was a member of the Junior League, the McCoin Book Club, and the Crescent Community Club. She was also a member and past president of the Fontaine Maury Society.
Claire was predeceased by her beloved parents and brother, John Edward Fontaine, Jr.
She was dearly loved and will be missed by her husband, Frank Towers Rice, Sr.; children, Rex Fontaine Rice (Ruth), Frank Towers Rice, Jr. (Kathryn), and Ruth Rice Bierbaum (Clark); grandchildren, Toni Ruth Rice, Meredith Fontaine Rice, John Towers Rice, Daniel Allen Rice, David William Rice (Chandler), Kathryn Jane Rice, Claire Kelly Bonnell, and John Fontaine Bonnell.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, January 12, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM Friday in the Church Parlor. A private burial will follow at Springwood Cemetery.
Escort of Honor will be the R.N. Ward Sunday School Class.
Her family would like to thank the staff of the Foothills Community and Lutheran Hospice for their support, love, and care for Claire.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601, Miracle Hill Ministries, 490 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607, or Piedmont Women's Center, 1146 Grove Road, Greenville, SC 29605.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, Easley, which is assisting the family.
Greenville, SC
Claire Fontaine Rice, 84, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 7, 2018 surrounded by family. She was born on November 13th, 1933, in Shreveport, LA to Ruby Brown and John Edward Fontaine. They moved to Beaumont, then to Houston, Texas. She graduated from Lamar High School and attended Mary Baldwin College.
On her way to Virginia for her freshman year, she stopped in Greenville to visit her aunt, Frances Allen Green, where she met the neighbor who would soon become the love of her life. She married Frank Towers Rice, Sr. on June 25, 1955, celebrating over 62 years together. They began their life in Surf City, NC, Carlisle, SC, and Pensacola, FL before settling in Greenville. Claire was a kind and gentle soul, a devout Christian who committed her life to being a loving wife, caring mother, and friend to many. One of Claire's greatest joys was spending time with her family, especially hosting in Little Switzerland and Pawleys Island.
Claire was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she belonged to the R.N. Ward Sunday School Class and was a founding member of the Thursday Morning Prayer Group. She was a Circle Coordinator and member of many Circles, the latest being at the Foothills Community, where they resided.
Claire was a member of the Junior League, the McCoin Book Club, and the Crescent Community Club. She was also a member and past president of the Fontaine Maury Society.
Claire was predeceased by her beloved parents and brother, John Edward Fontaine, Jr.
She was dearly loved and will be missed by her husband, Frank Towers Rice, Sr.; children, Rex Fontaine Rice (Ruth), Frank Towers Rice, Jr. (Kathryn), and Ruth Rice Bierbaum (Clark); grandchildren, Toni Ruth Rice, Meredith Fontaine Rice, John Towers Rice, Daniel Allen Rice, David William Rice (Chandler), Kathryn Jane Rice, Claire Kelly Bonnell, and John Fontaine Bonnell.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, January 12, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM Friday in the Church Parlor. A private burial will follow at Springwood Cemetery.
Escort of Honor will be the R.N. Ward Sunday School Class.
Her family would like to thank the staff of the Foothills Community and Lutheran Hospice for their support, love, and care for Claire.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601, Miracle Hill Ministries, 490 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607, or Piedmont Women's Center, 1146 Grove Road, Greenville, SC 29605.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, Easley, which is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Claire Fontaine Rice, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, January 12, 2018
9:30 - 10:45 am
First Presbyterian Church
Funeral Service
Friday, January 12, 2018
Starts at 11:00 am
First Presbyterian Church
Interment
Friday, January 12, 2018
Starts at 12:00 pm
Springwood Cemetery
Guestbook
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