BEN HERBERT RICE, III
Ben Herbert Rice, III, b September 18, 1918 in El Reno, Oklahoma where
his mother resided while his father was overseas in World War I with the U.S.
Army Air Corps - was a son of Judge Benjamin Herbert and Betsey ("Bess"
Mitchell) Rice, Jr. - both natives of Falls County, Texas. On November 14, 1942,
in the National Chapel at Arlington, Virginia, Ben III married Judith Arledge
Craddock, b July 28, 1919 in Crockett, Houston County, Texas - a daughter of
Daniel Page and Judith Jones (Arledge) Craddock. Ben at- tended the U.S. Naval
Academy in Annapolis, Mary- land; and served in the U.S. Navy during World War
II in the North Atlantic on Submarine Patrol - ending his military service with
the rank of Lt. Commander. He met his future wife while both were in the
University of Texas Law School, from which he received his Law Degree.
Ben and Judy reside in Houston, Texas, where he continues as an Attorney
and Senior Partner in the Vinson & Elkins Law Firm. They were the parents of six children - five reaching maturity,
as their first- born infant died and was buried in Calvary
Cemetery in Marlin. Their five surviving children are:
Ann Arledge Rice, b April 7, 1946 - married Terrell Lane Pace and had
Alexander Lane Pace, Judith Lorraine Pace, Caroline Carter Pace, and Mary Hudson
Pace (the last two being twins). Ann obtained her Bachelor's and Master's
degrees, is a Teacher in Livingston, Texas, and co-authored a book on education
which has been published. Terry obtained his Law Degree.
Betsey Mitchell Rice, b July 11, 1948 - married Francis Joseph Coleman,
Jr. (called "Hank") - son of Colonel Francis Joseph Coleman (USAF, Retired), and
l1is wife, Bea. Betsey received her Law Degree from the University of Texas in
Austin, and is an attorney in Houston. Hank also received his Law Degree, and
practices in Houston. Hank and Betsey are the parents )f three surviving
children - having lost a pair of
twins: Tobias Rice Coleman, Abigail Rice Coleman, and Elizabeth Rice Coleman.
Ben Herbert Rice, IV, b July 11, 1951 - received l1is B.S. degree in
Communication from The University of Texas in Austin. After working in that
field for a time, he entered The University of Texas Law School, where he
expects to graduate in 1986. He is not married.
Dan Craddock Rice, b July 28, 1953 - married Melinda Brooks. Dan received
a B.S. degree in Biology from The University of Texas in Austin, and his M.D.
degree June 13, 1981 from The University of Texas Health Science Center in
Houston. Completing his internship and residency in Internal Medicine, and
further training as a Gastroenterologist, he has now established his practice in
San Marcos, Texas. Dan and Melinda have two children: Brooks Vincent Rice, and
Amber Nicole Rice.
James Carter Rice, b August 8, 1956 in Houston, Texas - received his B.S.
degree in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin. He worked in 1971 in
Venezuela at the Instituto de Botanico. He completed his education at The
University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, receiving his M.D. degree in
May 1984. He is now serving his Internship-Residency in
Internal Medicine in Arkansas. He is not married.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of
these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical
Commission, page 383 column 2 and page 384 column 1 and 2.
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.
