Mrs. Helen Marie Ridenour Rice, 77, of Hagerstown, died Thursday afternoon, March 2, 2017, at Ravenwood Nursing Care Center, Hagerstown. She was the wife of the late Sidney Nelson “Johnny” Rice, her husband of 41 years who died July 14, 1998.
Born February 5, 1940, in Hagerstown, she was a daughter of the late Edward Lee and Martha Lee Grim Ridenour.
Helen graduated from Award Beauty School; and worked as a beautician for over 50 years.
She was a life member of Shiloh United Methodist Church, Hagerstown, where she sang with the choir; and taught and participated as a member of Serendipity Sunday School Class.
Helen was known to perform the personas of Dolly Parton & Minnie Pearl; and two of her own creation, Sally Ann, a little girl, and Jesus’s Grandmother. She would perform for church, senior citizens, and civic groups.
Surviving are her daughters, Kendra L. Showe and husband Richard “Dickie” of Hagerstown, and Krista T. Feigley and husband Scott “Rebel” of Greencastle; by grandchildren, Jason Showe and wife Lora, Jared Showe and wife Sheena, and Jessica and Jordyn Feigley; her great grandchildren, Cody, Alexis, Davin, and Aleeya; her sister Martha L. “Polly” Shifflett and husband Larry of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by brothers William D., Charles L., Harold E. and Ellis H. Ridenour; and a great grandson, Ajay.
The family will receive friends at Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, 40 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, on Sunday, March 5, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be from her church, Shiloh United Methodist Church, 19731 Shiloh Church Rd, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742 on Monday, March 6, at 1:30 PM. The family will also receive friends at the church on Monday beginning at 12:30 PM. Her pastor, Rev. Kenneth J. Fizer, will officiate. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Hagerstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown; or to her church, Shiloh United Methodist Church.
Those desiring may offer condolences to the family at www.akcoffmanfh.com.
