Kelly Sue Rice

Kelly S. Rice, 58, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away on January 24, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born in Toledo, Ohio, on September 2, 1965, and she was the fourth of five children of Betty (Hampton) Herroon and George Robert “Bob” (Jackie Warns) Herroon.

Kind, sweet, and caring to all, Kelly had a witty sense of humor and always an upbeat disposition. With her love of the outdoors, she could often be found walking on the many trails at metro parks or floating on area rivers. Kelly had a knack of finding rare thrift items and antiques. She enjoyed watching movies and attending music concerts. At home, she was rarely found without one of her dogs in her lap. Always the first to arrive at family gatherings, every holiday family awaited her famous cheeseball. Everyone knew to make a special dish of potato salad, without onions, just for her.

Growing up in Stony Ridge, Ohio, she met the love of her life, Richard Rice, at the quarry, one of her favorite childhood places. Kelly married and accompanied Rich to wherever he was stationed in the Army, including Texas. However, they returned to the area to be around family, where they became foster parents. They were blessed to welcome their son, Gabriel Colin Rice, to their family.

Kelly worked for just short of 24 years for Maria Early Learning Center in Toledo, Ohio, where she lovingly cared for and educated toddlers and young preschool children. She was normally the first to arrive; rarely taking days off, she cheerfully welcomed and greeted parents and children each morning on weekdays. On weekends, she could be found with family on Saturdays enjoying her many loved activities out in nature, and on Sundays, at the early service at Calvary Church, where she was a member for many years.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Rice; her son, Gabriel Colin Rice; her mother, Betty (Hampton) Herroon; Jackie Warns; Makai Labiche; her siblings, Laurie (Paul) Baker, Ted (Dawn McClanahan) Herroon, and Shane (Johnine) Herroon; sister-in-law Laura Herroon; sister-in-law Cassandra (Thomas) Hollyday; bonus siblings Patti Zattau (Scott) Hanna, Darla Zattau Traver, and Tammi (Joseph) McCourt; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, George Robert “Bob” Herroon, and eldest brother, Robert Herroon; father-in-law, Richard Rice and mother-in-law, Sally (Laney) Rice.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 658 Lime City Road, Rossford, Ohio, on Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rice family. Flowers may be delivered on Friday afternoon after 1:00 p.m. to the Eagles. Online condolences may be shared at toledocremation.com.

“It is not the length of life, but depth of life.” –Ralf Waldo Emerson