Ruth H. Rice, 85, of Hampton, Virginia, passed away on October 4th, 2016.  She was a native of Newport News, and had lived in the same home in Hampton for 63 years.  She worked as an Operator for the telephone company for 10 years and then after the birth of her fourth child, she became a stay at home mom.  She was committed to raising her five children.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, particularly her five children and six grandchildren.  Preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Ruby Dale Howell, her sisters Evelyn Howell and Mollie Harrison, and her brothers Henry and Robert Howell, she is survived by her brother Linwood Howell; her daughters, Patricia Rice, Shirley Harmor and her husband Jay; Lynne Sheppard and her husband Tom; sons, Larry Rice, and Wesley Rice and his wife Beth; and six grandchildren, Brian and Elizabeth Harmor, Matthew Sarvay, and Sam, Jake and Andy Rice; 8 nieces and 10 nephews.  She will be missed by her faithful poodle Sophie.  Sophie belonged to her husband Bill.  When Bill passed Sophie became loyal to Ruth.  Sophie is now with Wesley, Beth, Sam, Jake and Andy who will continue to take care of her.  Ruth will also be missed by special neighbors and friends, John (Bunky) and Jeanette Raynor who she spent time with on the front porch watching the world, Valerie Reynolds who helped her with some of her chores and just spent quality time with her, and Valerie's son Ayden, who she watched grow from a baby to a young man and who loved to visit with her, draw her pictures, and just spend time with her.  R Hayden Smith Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.  The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 9th from 4-5:30 PM at the funeral home.  A funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home on Monday, October 10th at 11:00 AM followed by an interment service at Peninsula Memorial Park  in Newport News VA.  Friends and family are invited to come to 135 Brandywine Drive in Yorktown VA after the graveside service to spend time with the family.