Phillip "Dal" Dalhart Rice

Phillip Dalhart "Dal" Rice, 76, of New Bern, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, February 27, 2023. Dal was born in Pamlico County October 10, 1946, from the late Audrey and Phillip Rice. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Ada Vandiford Rice, two sons, Wayne (wife Gwyn) and Kevin Rice of New Bern and one daughter Ada Lynn Dixon (late husband Jimmy) of New Bern. Six grandkids Phillip (Melanie), Rachel (Jon), Colby (Blake), Chase, Jada and Addy. Two step grandchildren Ashley (Warren) Harper and Kristin Toler. Additionally, he is survived by eleven great-grandchildren, Lillian, Hunter, Cali, Theodore, Charleigh, Emery, Shelby, Brenna, Warren, Brycen, and Karsyn. He was also preceded in death by three brothers Noah "Shorty", Mike and Dana Rice.

He graduated from Pamlico County High School in 1965 and went on to take diesel mechanic classes at Wilson Tech. He started working at Texasgulf, now Nutrien in 1968 where he started as an oiler on a dragline then made heavy equipment operator and dragline operator. He progressed to shift supervisor of C-shift in the mine followed by General Supervisor of the mine and pre-strip areas. He retired in November of 2006. After retirement he ran a small dragline at a sand pit down the road from his home.

He grew up the son of a pastor and was always active in church. He was a faithful member of Saints Delight Free Will Baptist Church where he enjoyed singing and eventually served as choir director for many years. He also in the past year had become an Ordained Minister.

Known to many as Dal or Phil and Daddy to his kids, but his favorite names to be called were Bozo, Papa, Poppy, PooPoo and sometimes simply Grandaddy to his grandkids and great grandkids over the many years. He loved camping with family and friends at the company campground cooking, boating and fishing. He was a member for many years of the Poor Campers Society (PCS). His love for camping took him many places across the states. There was nothing he enjoyed more than cooking a pig on Christmas Eve and having all of family and friends over to eat which he had done for the last 53 years.

He was a well-loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many and will be greatly missed.

The family will hold a visitation on Thursday, March 2, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in New Bern, which is located on Hancock Street. A Celebration of Dal's Life will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Saints Delight FWB Church.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Phillip "Dal" Dalhart Rice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cottenfuneralhome.com for the Rice family.