Obituary of Ruth Naomi Rice

Ruth Naomi Bush Rice, 91, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022, peacefully at home in Bridgeport. She was born July 13, 1931, in McDonald, Ohio, the daughter of the late Clarence and Naomi Bush. After high school, she married the love of her life, Oliver Rice, and moved to West Virginia, living in Webster Springs, Summersville, Richwood, Gassaway, before finally making their home in Bridgeport, where they would remain for nearly 60 years. For many years she was a homemaker, raising their four children, and working at Helmick’s Market, where many people remember her passing along a story and a smile. Ruth never met a stranger. Ruth looked forward to Saturday evening services at Bridgeport United Methodist Church, where she also was involved with the Bridgeport United Methodist Church Women. As it became more difficult for her to attend in person, she watched services on her iPad every Sunday and looked forward to visits from her family, friends, and neighbors. She enjoyed working with the Girl Scouts over the years, volunteering at the polls on election days, and was involved with the CEOs. Ruth’s children and her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She is survived by three daughters, Susan Walton (Roy) of Rock Cave, Cindy Broadwater (Rusty) of Lumberport, and Georgia Daniel (Richard Berdine) of Bridgeport, and one son, Clayton Rice (Jill) of Bridgeport. Ruth also is survived by eight grandchildren, Robert Loar, Jennifer McLean, Rusty Broadwater, Timothy Broadwater, Valan Daniel, Alex Rice, Paige Rice and Adam Bentz; and several great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband of seventy-one years, she is preceded in death by her granddaughter, Laura Loar, and her sisters, Marylou Bush Lynn and Earlann Bush Hurt, and her brother, Ed Bush. The family also wishes to thank Gwen Murray and Debbie Spadafore, for the loving and devoted care they provided to their mother. Friends will be received at the Ford Funeral Home, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV on Sunday from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and on Monday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The funeral service will be celebrated in the funeral home on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 1:00 PM with Reverend Dr. Ken A. Ramsey presiding. The interment will follow in the Rice Cemetery in Upshur County. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com. The Rice family has entrusted the care and arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV.