Kelly Ann (Gregory) Rice

Kelly Ann (Gregory) Rice, knowing her Lord and Savior Jesus, went in love, peace, gladness, and faith to Him at her appointed time, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born February 13, 1966, to Kenneth and Dona (Smith) Gregory, in Pawnee, OK. Kelly was a citizen of the Sac and Fox Nation, and of Chaui Pawnee and Otoe-Missouria descent.

She graduated from Pawnee High School in 1984. Kelly not only enjoyed school but excelled in it. After graduation she briefly attended the University of Oklahoma. Eventually she would make her way back to Pawnee where she was employed at the Pawnee Nation as a receptionist and later the Pawnee Nation Trading Post, as a retail clerk.

From February 3,1990 - May 4, 1998, she was the Johnson O’Malley Program tutor at Pawnee Public Schools where she loved, nurtured, and advocated for her students, especially her Native American students. From an early age, Kelly wanted to be a teacher and after encouragement from Superintendent Ned Williams, she continued her pursuit of a higher education. She was a full-time wife and mother while working part-time at the Pawnee Nation Finance Department and commuting to Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa.

In 2001, she earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Education from Northern Oklahoma College; followed by a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 2004, from Oklahoma State University. Beginning August 2004, Kelly began employment with Pawnee Public Schools as a 2^nd grade teacher and later would move up to 3^rd grade. During her twelve years, she was named Elementary Teacher of the Year twice and Oklahoma Council for Indian Education (OCIE) Teacher of the Year. Though these awards were an honor for her, she valued her students’ accomplishments more than her own. Her teaching philosophy was “An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” - Carl Jung.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends; learning to speak Pawnee language, reading the Bible, crafting, singing, observing nature, and going to her grandchildren’s activities. Kelly helped to care for her mother and father in their final years and reunited with them in the early morning hours on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Harold and Mary Gregory; maternal grandparents, Charles and Velma Smith; parents, Kenneth and Dona Gregory; uncle, Kenneth Smith; aunts, Berdina George and Anna Lee Burgess; and other family and friends.

Kelly is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of 36 years, James KnifeChief-Rice; daughter, Gwen Piccolella and husband Brian; son, Zachary Rice and wife Breanna; niece/daughter, Jamie Joshua and husband Randall; four grandsons, Gabriel, Jordan, Mason, and Jeremiah; three granddaughters, Aashari, Jaya, and Jalisa; brothers, James Gregory and children; David Gregory, wife Adrienne, and daughter; sister, Margaret McIntosh and daughters; aunts, Jo Only A Chief and children, June Hamilton and children, Virginia Riley and children, Nena Whiteshirt and children; uncle, Thomas Whiteshirt, Sr., wife Deborah, and children; life-long best friend and sister in Christ, Kathy Morgan and children; numerous nieces and nephews; and granddogs, Major, Honey, Gunner, Girlfriend, and Jasper.