Kathy L Rice

Kathy Louise Rice, 58, of Leach, Oklahoma, passed away Monday, April 8, 2024.

Kathy was born on September 19, 1965, in Sonora, California. She was the daughter of Virgil William Barnett and Shirley Ruth Lynn Moore Barnett. She married Gary Rice on September 20, 2015, at the Calvary Baptist Church in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. Kathy worked alongside her father and brothers as a Cement Mason for many years in California and also in Arkansas and Oklahoma after moving to the area and as a CNA in hospice care in Bentonville.  She loved arts and crafts, the outdoors including camping and hiking, four wheeling in their Jeep, and riding Motorcycles. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in West Siloam Springs.

She is survived by her husband Gary Rice of the home; two daughters, Angela Wernimont of Kansas, Oklahoma and Elisa Wernimont of Leach, Oklahoma; two step sons, Josh Rice of Norman, Oklahoma and James Rice of Lodi, California; four brothers, Keith Barnett, Frankie Barnett, Odie Barnett, and Kenny Barnett; two sisters, Mary Madewell and Rosie Watkins; eleven grandchildren, Chance Wernimont, Brennan Mart, Javen Mart, Taylen Mart, Breathlynn Mart, Johnny Rice, Keaton Rice, Nikki Rice, Katy Rice, Grayson Rice and Xyla Jean Rice; one great grandchild, Liam Virgil Thomas Mart.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Ina Pickup, Earl Barnett, Louisa Kirk, Betty Barnett, Gladys Barnett, Virgil Barnett, Virgie Barnett, and David Barnett.

A visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm.

Funeral Service will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Chapel on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:00 am. Pastor Wes Flaugh will officiate the service.  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, AR.