Iris Fern Douglass Rice, 85, of Clakton, Mo., died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Born Jan. 29, 1920, in Clarkton, daughter of the late Norvell Ashbury and Iva Byrd Douglass, she was a graduate of SEMO University with a bachelor of arts and masters in education and taught school for forty years. She served as president of Dunklin County Retired Teachers Association, SEMO Teachers Association and served as vice chairman of the District Democrat Senatorial Committee and the Dunklin County Democratic Board. She was a member of the RSVP Board, the Dunklin County Transportation Board, Freeborn Township Democratic Board and the Methodist Church.

On Aug. 9, 1944, in Piggott, Ark., she married Arthur V. "Sonny" Rice Jr., who survives.

Survivors also include one daughter, Susan Rice, of Clarkton; one son, Douglass Rice and wife, Lauren, of Van Buren, Mo.; one grandson, Dr. Keith Rice, of Irvine, Texas; one granddaughter, Kim Butler, of Little Elm, Texas; one great-grandson, Will Butler, of Little Elm and one great-granddaughter, Teagan Rice, of Irvine.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Roy Douglass, Martin Douglass, Dr. Warner Earl Douglass and N.A. Douglass and one sister, Rosa King.

Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, Aug. 16, at the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo. with the Rev. Jack Allen officiating.

Bradshaw Funeral Home of Malden, Mo. was in charge of arrangements.