THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Wednesday, August 17, 2011


Opal Garrett Craig Rice died August 14, 2011, at Stuart Meyer Hospice House in Palm Coast, FL. She was born March 17, 1919, to Eliza Adeline Hood Garrett and William A. Garrett near Sparkman, Arkansas.

She was predeceased by her first husband, James O'neil Craig, and her second husband, Earl E. Rice Sr., and five sisters and two brothers.

She was a graduate of Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She began her career as an elementary teacher in Arkansas and retired after 20 years teaching at Bunnell Elementary School.

Mrs. Rice served as Bunnell City Commissioner from 1984-1992. She was instrumental in founding the Bunnell Beautification Committee and obtaining the "Tree City" designation. Opal was active in the Flagler Woman's Club, the Bunnell United Methodist Church and was a fifty year member of the General Joseph E. Johnston Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

She is survived by her son, John O'Neil Craig, of Winter Haven, FL and daughter Carol Craig Creasy of Flagler Beach; five granddaughters, Caroline Deen Milne of Jacksonville, Kathleen Deen Parke of New Orleans, LA, Chrissy and Marie Billings and Ronnie Behoveich of Winter Haven; and four great grandchildren, Emily Irons Milne of Jacksonville, William Deen O'Neil Parke of New Orleans, and Jennifer and Amber Diaz of Winter Haven. Also dear to her were three neices, four nephews, and much extended family in Arkansas.

Memorial services will be held September 10 at 2:00 P.M. at Hammock Community Church in Hammock, FL.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to be made either to the Bunnell United Methodist Church or the Endowment Fund of the Hammock Community Church.