Naomi Ruth Rice

Naomi Ruth Rice, 95, of Yuba City, CA, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on August 9, 2025.

She was born January 13, 1930, at home on Orange Street in Yuba City, CA, to Ira and Lura Hall and was a lifelong resident of the community.

Naomi is survived by her daughter, Liberty Setters, of Browns Valley, CA; grandchildren, Levi, Lauren, and Summer Setters, of Browns Valley, CA; brother, Leroy (Betty) Hall; brother-in-law, Jerry Russell, all of Yuba City, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Rice; her parents; sisters, June Jauch and Evonda Russell; and brothers, Robert and Earl Hall.

Naomi attended Bridge Street Elementary and graduated from Yuba City High School in 1947.

She fondly recalled spending summers camping in Little Grass Valley during her childhood, where her brother, Leroy, was born.

She later attended Yuba College, graduated from San Jose State with a degree in Occupational therapy, and eventually earned a BS in Home Economics from the University of Oregon Corvallis.

She often spoke of her time in San Jose, CA, as the happiest. She attended the First Baptist church and lived at the YMCA.

Her teaching career began in a one room schoolhouse in Oak Run, CA. She later taught at Linda Elementary and Brittan Elementary.

In 1970, she married Joseph Rice, of Browns Valley, CA, and their daughter, Liberty, was born the following year. Naomi loved being a wife and mother, and later a grandmother.

Family life was filled with adventures including helping with the family's Rice Brothers House Movers business.

She enjoyed babysitting nieces and nephews, sending thoughtful birthday cards, and creating lasting memories with those She loved.

She had a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, encouraging everyone she met with her faith and her positive spirit.

Active in church throughout her life, Naomi served alongside Joseph as he pastored churches in Smartsville, CA, and Camptonville, CA. She loved playing the piano for her family.

Relationships were important to Naomi, she kept in touch with lifelong friends from college, as well as a pen pal in England, with whom she corresponded for more than 70 years.

She also enjoyed reading, learning about history, and researching her family's genealogy, traveling to connect with relatives across the country.

Her grandchildren, who came along in her 80's, were her greatest joy. She cherished every moment with them and eagerly looked forward to their time together.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Peoria Cemetery in Browns Valley, CA.