Brenda Lee Rice Whitaker, 61, of Wetmore, Kansas died on Monday, November 14, 2022, at her home in Wetmore, with her family by her side.

Brenda was born on December 4, 1960, in Logansport, Indiana. She was the adopted daughter of Fred C. and Nancy R. Summers Rice. Brenda attended school at Logansport.

She began working in healthcare providing aide in nursing homes and hospitals; her last job, which she loved, was at Summerville Medical Center in South Carolina. She was a volunteer for the Macedonia Fire Department and Medical Officer for 15 years.

On January 1, 2000, Brenda married Steven Whitaker at the Methodist Church in Macedonia, South Carolina. The moved to Wetmore, where Steve grew up, in 2012.

Brenda collected bells and loved to cook and bake.  She enjoyed boating and fishing whenever she had the chance. She was a devoted grandmother and spent anytime she could with them.

She was a past member of the Pena Costal Baptist Church, South Carolina.

Brenda was preceded in death by an infant grandson, Mikey Rice; and her parents, Fred Rice and Nancy Edmond.

She is survived by her husband, Steven Whitaker of Wetmore; children, Michael Rice of South Carolina, April Bowman-Tew of Wetmore and Christopher Bowman of Wetmore; grandchildren, Isaac, Madison, Sara Rice and Jessa, Reanne Emmalee Tew; her natural father, Roscoe Shackleford of South Carolina; and sisters, Carina Sue Schmitz of Netawaka, Kansas and Katie Shackleford of South Carolina.

Brenda’s whishes were to be cremated and her family kept her wishes. There will be no services at this time; but at later date a celebration of life will be held. Brenda will be buried in the Wetmore City Cemetery.