Rita K Rice

Our dear, precious mother and Grouchy, Rita Kay Wales Rice, passed from this life on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 5:48 P.M. peacefully and surrounded by family after a brave fight with cancer. Rita was the seventh daughter born to Alvin Thomas and Mary Lucille (Hogan) Wales on April 12, 1954 in Marion, Indiana. Rita's parents and six sisters loved and cared for her with great abundance.

Rita attended Oak Hill High School and cosmetology school. She worked in the beauty industry until the birth of her daughter and eventually retired from Thomson Consumer Electronics. Rita married Timothy H. Rice on November 10, 1994. Together they attended horse shows, concerts, planted flower gardens, and enjoyed backyard campfires with family. Rita was a strong, loving soul filled with spunk. She loved her family endlessly and would do anything for them. Rita took great pride in helping to raise her grandsons who lovingly referred to her as Grouchy which she adored. She wanted nothing more than to see them grow and thrive. Rita touched many lives with her nurturing ways, laughter, and food cooked with so much love that it fed not only the

body but also the soul.

Rita will forever be missed, loved, and cherished by her husband, Tim Rice; daughter, Misty (Michael) Humphries; grandsons, Ethan, Lucas, and Gavin Humphries; grand dog, Daisy; sisters, Jaunell Perry, Valerie Hunt, Jeanette Smith, Kathy (Al) Bright, Judy (Bob) Buckler; special friend, Boonsri Al Rhoades; and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rita was predeceased by her parents, Alvin and Mary Wales; sister, LaMerle Alexander; and brothers-in-law, Jack Alexander and Dale Hunt.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Armes-Hunt Life Celebration and Funeral Home at 4601 South Western Avenue Marion, Indiana 46953 where a visitation will be held Friday March 29, 2024 from 2:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 P.M. with Reverend Scott Hafer presiding. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Woodland Hills Church of Christ. Online memories and condolences may be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com