Tia J. Rice

Tia J. Rice, age 48, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 9:30 p.m. at her home in Upper Sandusky.

Tia was born on September 26, 1967 in Brown County, Ohio to Phil and Carole (Stewart) Cooper. She graduated from Eastern Brown High School and received a BS in agriculture from The Ohio State University.

She is survived by parents Phil and Carole Cooper, fiancAC. Mike Thiel, daughter, Teahl Rice, and son, Tyler Rice. 5 siblings, Ty (Cheryl) Cooper, Tris (Cindy) Cooper, Chip (Jane) Cooper, Phillip (Theresa) Cooper, and Jody (Scott) Wilson.

Tia found happiness in being a good mother. She dedicated her life to every sporting event, every play and musical, every booster meeting, every band performance, and every emergency phone call that needed her ASAP, always showing up and her Ohio State ball cap.

Friends always remarked about her zest for life, her positive outlook and her beaming smile. With Mike, the love of her life, she made a beautiful farm home, we're friends and family were always welcome.

Tia enjoyed crafting, drying flowers and antiquing, often decorating her home seasonally. She also enjoy gardening and adding to it regularly.

She was known to the Upper Sandusky community as "Mama Rice". Some found fear in the name (and rightfully so), but most found comfort in it. She love knowing that she was a good friend and people could come to her understanding that there voice would be heard.

She worked at Seneca Conservation District as the program administrator. She served on many task forces and committees at county, state and national levels. Always wearing her conservation hat, she was a tireless advocate for agricultural projects and broadcasting knowledge and need for conservation efforts.

There'll be a Celebration of Life Service for Tia at 11:00am Saturday, October 24, 2015 at her home located at 10632 County Highway 96, Upper Sandusky, with Pastor Don Young officiating.

Following the service there will be a time of fellowship for family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tia J. Rice Scholarship Fund and can be sent to Lucas-Batton Funeral Home, 476 S. Sandusky Ave. Upper Sandusky, Ohio, 43351

As Tia would always say, Go Bucks!