Xzariah Rice

Xzariah Denecca Rice, known to family and friends for her radiant smile and playful spirit, was born April 15, 2002, and passed from this life on June 19, 2018, in Huntsville, Alabama. A devoted student of Huntsville City Schools, Xzariah attended Lakewood Elementary and Chapman Middle before becoming a proud student at Jemison High School. She was an honors student who approached learning with curiosity and determination.

Dance was a defining part of Xzariah’s life. She shone as a member of the Jemison High School Jaguarette Dance Team and served as captain of Limelight Dance Production, roles that reflected both her talent and her ability to inspire teammates. Those who danced with her remember her leadership, her energy on stage, and the joy she took in sharing movement with others.

Xzariah’s family and close friends remember her as goofy, kind, and uplifting — someone whose laughter and spirit were a comfort in ordinary moments. She took part in the life of Christ Church of Prayer and found strength in her faith. Survived by her mother, Teela Lashawn Rice, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins and friends, Xzariah’s presence left a lasting mark on those who knew her.

Though her life was far too brief, Xzariah’s accomplishments in school and on the dance floor, and the affection of her family, stand as a testament to the person she was: bright, warm, and full of promise. Her memory lives on in the hearts of her loved ones and in the many small ways she made others smile.