Donald M. Bice, Sr.

Mr. Donald M. Bice, Sr., 85 of Phenix City, AL passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at his home.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am EST (10:00 am CST) Friday, August 22, 2025 at Summerville United Methodist Church in Phenix City, AL with Pastor Karen Seifert officiating. The interment will follow at 3:00 pm EST (2:00 pm CST) at Sears Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Rockford, AL. The family will receive friends Friday morning from 10:00 am until 11:00 am EST, one hour prior to the service, at the church, according to Vance Brooks Funeral Home.

Mr. Bice was born in Rockford, AL on May 25, 1940, son of the late Audie Bice and Lena Kelley Bice. He served as a Russell County Extension Agent from 1970 until his retirement in 1999. Mr. Bice was a car enthusiast and cherished his 1961 Ford. He was known as a man with a generous heart. Mr. Bice had been a member of Summerville United Methodist Church for 55 years, where he served on both the Trustee Committee and the Administrative Board.

Mr. Bice obtained his undergraduate and Master’s Degree from Auburn University. He started his career with Extension in 4-H and says that beef was a large part of his work. Mr. Bice’s proudest work relates to the identification and promotion of Russell bermudagrass in the late 1970’s and 1980’s. He first identified Russell bermudagrass on the Roy Temple Farm in a field near Seale, Alabama. Mr. Bice is proud that the variety continues to stand the test of time.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Alvin and Cliff Bice.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Martha Jones Bice; two sons, Don Bice, Jr. and wife Karen and Brian Bice and wife Melissa; four grandchildren, Maggie Bice, Kailey Bice, Aly Williams (Brett) and Kyle Yarbrough; great-grandchildren, Ella Williams, Jack Williams and Tate Williams; as well as several extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Summerville United Methodist Church, 1201 32nd St., Phenix City, AL 36867.