Ms. Deborah Rae Rice-Gladhill, 73 of Hilliard

Deborah Rae Rice-Gladhill, affectionately known as “Debbie,” age 73, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at her home, with her faithful dog, Rascal, by her side. Born on May 6, 1953, Deborah was the daughter of the late Rev. Raymond Rice and Betty L. (Mason) Rice. From the words of her favorite hymn sung by her father, “In that far-off sweet forever, Just beyond the shining river…” May the golden bells ring in remembrance of Debbie.

She is survived by her brother, Raymond Rice and his wife Beth of Oil City, Pennsylvania, and was preceded in death by her sister, Roxanna “Beth” (Don) Hutchison.

Deborah’s children and their families include Crystal (Rob) Kluver of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, and her children, Roxanna and Robert “Robbie”; the late Robin Wetzel (Ryan) of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and her children, Austin, Katelynn and Christopher; John T. Betts of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, and his children, Desiree and Jackalyn; Elizabeth (Jay) Alfman of Cambridge, Ohio, her niece who called her “Mom,” and her children, Ryan, Ana, Stevie, and Dallas; John Michael Gladhill of Cambridge, Ohio; Betty (Cassey) Rice-Gladhill of Green Bay, Virginia, and her children, Gaige and Elizabeth; Rebecca (Jeremy) Rice-Gladhill of Mathias, West Virginia, and her children, Steven, Lena, and Alice; and Jeremy Rice-Gladhill of Mathias, West Virginia.

Deborah is also survived by several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her surviving maternal aunts and uncles include Kenny Mason, Dale Mason, Dori Decker, and Shirley Lester, along with her uncle by marriage, Pete Blazvick. Deborah is also survived by her best friend, Jenny Adams of Columbus, Ohio.

She will be laid to rest alongside her parents at Northwood Cemetery in Cambridge, Ohio.

Personal condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.black-eppersonfuneralhomes.com