Dorothy Rice

Newell was born and raised in Cullman County. The daughter of Harvey & Esther Reese. She was the youngest of 8 children.

She met and married Fred Rice. They married October 20,1949. They had 67 years of happiness before his passing in 2017. They made their home in the Birmingham area. In their later years they called Fultondale home. They attended First Baptist Church in Gardendale as long as their health allowed.

After Fred’s passing she moved back to Cullman to be near family. She made Westminster Assisted Living home. As her health declined, she moved to Hanceville Nursing and Rehab.

Wherever Newell was you usually heard laughter. She was the life of the party. She had a mischievous side to her personality. She wanted everyone to have fun. She was known for her cream cheese pound cake. It was her go to for carrying to the sick, bereaved and even to her doctors. Fred once told her the doctor didn’t care anything about seeing her, he just wanted the cake.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred Rice, parents Harvey and Esther Reese, two brothers Ottis Reese and Elbert Reese, five sisters, an unnamed infant sister, Gladys Reese, Jewell Cowin, Pearl Allen, and Eva Bartlett, one nephew and three nieces.

She is survived by eight nieces, two nephews, and her four very special friends Doris Calvert, Custa Harper, Vonne Gentry and Melissa Harbinson.

Services for Newell will be held August 17, 2024 in the Moss Service Funeral Home chapel 1901 2nd Ave NW Cullman, AL 35055. Family will receive friends for a visitation from 9:00 AM until the service time at 12:00 PM, with interment to follow at Hopewell Cemetery, 492 CR 582 Hanceville AL 35077. Moss Service Funeral Home directing.

Moss Service Funeral Home directing.