Gloria Harris Hess Rice

            Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Gloria Harris Hess Rice passed away peacefully on August 12, 2015, in Farmington, Utah at the age of 92, and into the arms of her Savior and her beloved eternal companion, Maxwell G. Hess.

            Gloria was born Sept. 16, 1922 in Layton, Utah to Chloe Louise Layton Harris and Thomas Jesse Harris.  Her pioneer heritage, her parents and her five sisters and one brother were very dear to her.  She grew-up surrounded by grandmothers, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. She learned to work hard on the big family farm and was taught by her Mother how to maintain a happy and clean home, prepare nourishing meals and sing while you worked.

            Gloria graduated from Davis High School and LDS Seminary, and was the editor of the school yearbook and the only female cheerleader.  She then enrolled at Utah State where she was a cheerleader,   ROTC Sponsor, elected as VP of the sophomore class, and a member of Chi Omega Sorority.

            Gloria had three names given to her by her many associates during different stages of her life. At Utah State, her infectious smile earned her the nickname, “The Beamer”.  The neighborhood children called her “The Donut Lady” because of her homemade spudnuts, and in her later years “The Corn Lady”

             Gloria married her high school sweetheart Maxwell G. Hess in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct 1, 1942. They built their family home in Farmington next door to Max’s parents, Milton and Margaret Hess whom she loved dearly.   They were blessed with five loving children: Kathy (Gary) Barber, Timothy (Suzanne), Lynn, Terry (Carol) and Tami (Jerry) Preston, 17 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren who were the joy of her life.  Max passed away on October 2, 1987.  In 1991 Gloria married Rawl M. Rice.

            Gloria loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and she was a dedicated lifetime member of the LDS church. Gloria had great love for children and for those who need love and kindness.  Gloria’s outgoing personality helped her to be a friend to all people.  She served three full-time proselyting missions –San Diego California, Texas Fort Worth and Canada Vancouver, where her favorite saying was, “Zippity do! The Gospel’s true!”  She also served as an ordinance worker in the Ogden and Bountiful Temples.   

            Gloria was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings and their spouses except her brother’s wife Elaine Harris of Carson City, Nevada.  Gloria was preceded in death by husband Max Hess, and husband Rawl Rice.  She is survived by all of her children, their spouses and all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and her dear friend Crystal Halladay. Special gratitude to Gloria’s hospice nurse, Alice for her kindness, patience and love.

              Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 22 at 11:00 am in the LDS Rock Chapel at 300 North Main in Farmington.   Friends and family may visit on Friday between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Mortuary 1941 N. Main, Farmington or Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment will be at the Farmington City Cemetery.