Diane Porter Rice

Diane Rice of Raleigh passed away peacefully Feb 7, succumbing to her third battle with cancer. As with her first bout 13years ago and her second six years ago, Diane fought bravely. Diane was born in Connecticut and moved to Mt Olive, NC with her family as a young child. Upon graduating from Crumpler Business School, she moved to Raleigh in 1961. She worked for 30 years at First Citizens Bank in Raleigh and later at the NC Dept of Revenue. Diane was known for her love of children and animals. She loved bright colors and was fiercely proud of her Irish red hair. She was a feisty spirited woman known for her candor. She never met a stranger and would talk as long as there was someone nearby to listen. She volunteered at the Helen Wright Center, the Raleigh Rescue Mission, the Raleigh Little Theater and attended Westminster Presbyterian Church and Open Table United Methodist Church. She was predeceased by the love of her life Carl Rice, her parents Mr and Mrs M S Porter Jr of Mt Olive, and a brother Richard Porter of Sneads Ferry. She is survived by a brother Stotler Porter of Goldsboro, NC, a nephew Logan Porter of Mt Olive, NC, a niece Trisha P Kelley of Blythewood, SC and a nephew Richard Porter Jr of White Hall, Va. She is also survived by her furry friends Missy and Coco or Raleigh NC and special friends Sue LaFone of Knightdale, Viola Garrison, and Carol Elmstrom, both of Raleigh. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 11, at 11 AM at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Raleigh. Burial will follow at Historic Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the funeral from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Helen Wright Center, The Raleigh Rescue Mission, or Open Table United Methodist Church.