Thomas Botts Rice was born on this day in 1905, in Texas, to David and Mattie Botts Rice.
He spent his early life in Houston, graduated from Woodberry Forest School, and attended the University of Texas.
Thomas moved to Winston-Salem in 1930. He and his brother, Joe, founded the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, which became Northwest Beverage Company.
Thomas was on the building committee and the first commission for Forsyth Memorial Hospital. He was instrumental in raising funds for the Memorial Coliseum and in originating the Forsyth County United Fund.
Thomas was past chairman of the Winston-Salem Board of Directors of Wachovia Bank. And, he served on the Board of Directors of the Standard Savings and Loan Association.
He married Louise Moore in 1931, and he passed away in 1991.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
