Ruth Rice

Ruth Collins Rice, 100, passed away after a remarkable life defined by faith, family, friendship, and a lifetime of serving others.

Born on October 28, 1925, Ruth was blessed with a century of life and used those years to leave an enduring mark on generations of family, friends, and members of her church community.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ken Rice, with whom she shared 70 years of marriage. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, hospitality, and service.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Gilmour, and son-in-law, Gary Gilmour; granddaughter, Karina Pentecost, grandson-in-law, Aaron Pentecost; and her great- grandson, Colton Pentecost, who brought tremendous joy to her later years.

For more than 60 years, Ruth faithfully served the Westport Road Church of Christ. As an elder’s wife, planner, cook, women’s leader, mentor, and willing servant, she gave countless hours to the church and its people. But Ruth’s service was never simply about the roles she filled or the things she accomplished. It was an expression of her deep and abiding faith in Jesus.

Throughout those years, Ruth mentored and encouraged countless young people. She had a special way of making people feel welcomed, cared for, and loved. Her influence extended far beyond her immediate family. For more than 45 years, she was affectionately known as “Grammy” not only to her own family, but to so many others who came to love her as one of their own. To be welcomed into Grammy’s life was to become part of her family.

In her later years, Ruth made her home at Brownsboro Park Retirement Community, where she was deeply loved and respected by those around her. She treasured her time there and was blessed to form some of the closest and most meaningful friendships of her life. Those friendships brought her great happiness, companionship, and laughter.

To live 100 years is extraordinary. To spend those years loving others, mentoring generations, serving a church for more than six decades, sharing 70 years of marriage, and remaining a faithful servant of Jesus is an even greater legacy.

Ruth will be remembered for the meals she prepared, the gatherings she planned, the young people she encouraged, the friendships she cherished, and the countless acts of service that often happened quietly and without recognition. Most of all, she will be remembered for the way she loved—her family, her church family, her friends, and her Lord.

For a woman known simply as Grammy to so many, perhaps the greatest measure of her life is found in the generations of people who are better because she was part of theirs.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 10, at Westport Road Church of Christ, located at 4500 Westport Rd., Louisville, KY 40207. Family and friends are invited to visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Following the funeral service, graveside services will be held at Louisville Memorial Gardens East.

Her century of life has ended, but the faith she lived, the love she gave, and the lives she touched will continue for generations to come.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Hospraus Health Louisville.