Hayley Jo Rice

Hayley Jo Rice, 25, of Alma, passed away Thursday, February 1, 2024 in Little Rock. She was born December 2, 1998 in Fort Smith. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant. To know Hayley, you know her love. You know how genuine and caring she was. Hayley was an amazing mother, aunt, sister, daughter, and friend. Her two boys were her whole world. There are not words to describe the love she had for them. Hayley was so much more than a sister, she helped raise her nieces, and the bond between them was so strong. Her life revolved around her family. Hayley was an incredible caregiver who was so loved by all of her residents and coworkers. She was full of life and so full of fun. There were never days that she didn’t dance and make people feel happy and loved. Her free spirit was undeniable. It’s something she definitely made others feel – free. Free to be themselves without judgement. Her kind, caring, fun-loving soul, will be missed but the time we had with her will forever be cherished. She was definitely one of a kind.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Billy and Sharon Rice, and Tommy Blount.

She is survived by two sons, Taygen and River Rice of the home; her parents, Billy and Amber Rice of the home; sisters, Taylor Rice and husband Aaron Brantley, Shelbi Curry, and Alexis Washburn; aunts and uncles, Jan, Boobie (Bubba), Vanessa (Donald), Rhonda (Billy), Wayne, and Robert (Lita); nieces, Gracelynn, Cadence, Charlee and Georgia-Kate; her mother, Felicia Rice; and brother, Cody Rice.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at New Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Hatman, Mason Taylor, Aaron Brantley, Dale Cooper, Heath Nelson, and Bubba Huff. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerad Vanlaningham, Justin Vanlaningham, and Donald Taylor.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.