Betty Jo Rice was born to George and Allie (Day) Gann in Ozark, MO on March 22, 1933. She passed away on May 17, 2022, in Springfield, MO.

Born the youngest of nine children, she learned very early on how important family is. At the age of three, her mother passed away, leaving her older siblings to step in and help raise her. She had a deep sense of love and appreciation for all of her brothers and sisters.

Betty graduated from Rogersville High School and married classmate Kenneth Rice. They shared 61 years together before his passing in 2014. During his final years, Betty was a compassionate and dedicated caretaker, showering him each day with patience and kindness.

Betty spent most of her life in retail sales. She worked at Newberry's for many years before moving to Montgomery Wards in 1970. She retired in 1989 after over 19 years of service. From there, she spent the next 16 years helping Kenneth on the farm until moving to Springfield in 2005.

Betty enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and gardening. Her family was blessed by her cooking, baking, and most of all the homemade candy she made for family and friends each holiday season.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth Rice; brothers Clifton, Gene, and Willard Gann; sisters Clio Graves, Nadine Cobb, and Katie Chaffin; and her grandson Zachary Shane Rice. She is survived by sisters Wilma Umphres of San Dimas, Ca. and Nancy Cuevas of Saucier, Ms., and sister-in-law Zelma Gann of Nixa, Mo.; her children Ron Rice and wife Donna of Eldridge, Mo., and Kathy McIntosh and husband Phil of Springfield, Mo.; grandchildren Jason Rice, Chelsea Begley and husband Jeff, and Cody McIntosh and partner Tiffani Tummons; great-grandchildren Carter, Brooke, Jayce, Jaxton, and Harlie; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 22, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Dodson Cemetery in Rogersville, MO.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer's Association.