Eloise Rice

A visitation for Eloise will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Newcomer's Noland Road Chapel, 509 S NOLAND RD, INDEPENDENCE, MO 64050.

A funeral service for Eloise will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Newcomer's Noland Road Chapel, 509 S NOLAND RD, INDEPENDENCE, MO 64050. A repast will follow immediately after the service.

Eloise was born November 3, 1932 in Lexington, Mississippi to Frank and Olivia Weatherall. She moved to Kanas City, Kansas where she attended high school at Sumner Academy. She attended college at the University of Kansas and Cal State where she received a BS in accounting.

Eloise married Dr. Vernon Rice, DDS in 1959. She was the mother of three children, Alita, Sherri, and Vernon.

Over the years, she worked as an accountant, an auditor for State of Missouri, and a travel agent before becoming an award-winning co-owner (with her husband Vernon) of a KarmelKorn popcorn franchise.

Her many activities included being an active member of Greater Holy Temple Church (Kansas City, MO) for many years before transitioning to Graceway Church (Kansas City, MO). She was involved in the Parent Teacher Association , the American Business Woman’s Association, the local Republican Party (served as committee chairwoman) the Kansas City Women’s Dental Auxiliary, the Kansas City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America (served as chapter treasurer), and Sceptre Ministries International (served as treasurer).

Eloise enjoyed many activities, including arts and crafts, making flower arrangements, sewing, gardening, and baking (she was well known for her delicious rolls). One of her greatest joys was her granddaughter Allissa.

She will be remembered for: Being nice and kind to everyone. A quiet sense of humor. Her great laugh. Mentoring her teenage employees about business. Giving her time to help others without expecting anything in return. Always believing in others and encouraging them to believe in themselves.

Eloise is survived by her husband, Dr. Vernon Rice; her daughters, Alita Rice Rencher and Sherri Rice; her son, Vernon Rice II; and granddaughter, Allissa Rencher; her brother, James Weatherall; her sister, Verna Jean Mason; Goddaughter, Lisa Hardwick; honorary daughter, Melanie Miller; longtime friends, Hattie Spears and Louise Williams. She was predeceased by her siblings, Lawrence Weatherall, Earlene Hunter, Paul Weatherall, and Linda Taylor; and close friends, Gustava White, Dan White, and Ranford Williams.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to St. Luke’s Hospital, Maggie’s Place, and Kansas City Hospice House as well as family and friends who helped to care for Eloise during her final year of life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Eloise by making a donation to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (https://www.lls.org/), or the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/).