Talia Yasmeen Rice Obituary (1998

Her Life's Journey Talia Yasmeen Rice "Tee-Tee" was born in Hinesville, Georgia on April 14, 1998, to Sean and Vanessa (Leonard) Rice while her parents were stationed at Fort Stewart military installation. This immediately made Talia a "military brat", which meant attending schools in several different states and a different country throughout her life. Talia attended Kaleiopuu Elementary School in Waipahu, Hawaii in the 1st and 2nd grade; she attended North Polk Elementary School in Fort Polk, Louisiana in the 3rd grade and Hale Kula Elementary School in Wahiawa, Hawaii in the 4th and 5th grade where she enjoyed Taekwondo, playing outside from sun rise to sun set, and learning to play the Ukulele, world renown for their sound and beauty. Also, while attending school in Hawaii, Talia joined a Baton Twirl Team. She learned first how to twirl from her mother, a past majorette herself, then later progressed to twirl a baton with the group performing around the Island. Later, Talia's new passion became one of the best in her group. She loved twirling and she continued to twirl her baton during her many trips to the park where she found solace being outdoors, with the sun shining on her face and experiencing life as one with nature's beauty. Talia also had a love for riding her rip stick, something she took up in her younger tom-boyish years and would still do so at the park after her Yoga sessions. As life would have it as a military child, Talia moved again and later attended Ross Middle School in El Paso, Texas for her 6th grade year. Significant of noting, this is where she chose her very first pet "Shadow", a cocker spaniel named for always following her around. It was also where Talia was an Acolyte, part of the Youth Praise and Worship Dance team, and later Baptized at Prince of Peace Christian Fellowship Church in El Paso, Texas in 2010, by then Pastor Michael Grady. After what seemed like a short tour in Texas, Talia later moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While stationed in Fayetteville, North Carolina she attended Overhills Middle School in Cameron, North Carolina in the 7th & 8th grade. This is where she first began playing the recorder, drawing, and journaling; a passion she enjoyed as much as writing poetry. After North Carolina, Talia moved to Europe and was stationed with her parents in Wiesbaden, Germany where she attended Wiesbaden High School in the 9th and 10th grade. This is the first time Talia took to Cheer and joined the Warriors Varsity Cheer Team where they toured Europe cheering at various school events and competed each year in the Annual cheer competitions. Talia was selected to participate in the All American 2015-2016 Varsity Spirit Team in London, England and her team was lauded for their performances, high energy, and Team Spirit during the competition. During her last year in Germany, the Warriors placed 4th out of 25 teams. After enjoying Europe's beautiful landscapes, holiday markets, the many magical castle tours, trips to Belgium, the Netherlands and France, Talia later moved to Fort Irwin, California where She attended Silver Valley High School in Barstow, California for her 11th and 12th grade years. Talia immediately joined their varsity cheer team and enjoyed touring Southern California for games and cheer camps hosted by the area colleges and universities. After graduation in Barstow, California, Talia chose to attend Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) in Prairie View, Texas and graduated during the COVID epidemic with a bachelor's degree in marketing in December 2020. Prior to attending PVAMU, Talia was selected to attend the Business Scholars Summer Program (BSSP) in 2016 where she actively participated in class discussions, volunteered her opinions willingly and showed genuine interest in the well-being of her fellow Panthers. Although Talia didn't continue to cheer in college, she did find a new passions...philanthropy and dance! At Prairie View Talia was part of a Dance Team, and truly found a new artistic way of expressing herself while uplifting fellow female Panthers emphasizing empowerment and well-being. She spent countless hours summer interning with QuadW Missionary in San Diego, CA as a Teachers Assistance, aiding in the growth of low-income, disadvantaged, and high-risk children. She also interned as a camp counselor for Project Transformation where she supervised and mentored both migrant children and children from the surrounding communities that was less fortunate than others. She loved to help children whose ages ranged from 6-13 providing mentorship during physical activities and classroom sessions enhancing literacy skills. Additionally, while attending Prairie View, Talia also adopted her second pet, an emotional support cat named Louie. Talia loved Louie and he brought her so much peace and joy. After college, Talia worked for various companies ranging from Sherwin Williams, Apple, Humana, and lastly, Chenega Corporation; always a memorable personality to all she worked with and her well-known passion to aid others. Despite military children feeling like they are being moved around the world by their parents who serve, we're extremely thankful and grateful Talia was afforded opportunities to experience various people, cultures, and places within the continental united states and across the oceans like the Netherlands, London, France, Belgium, and Germany. Known best for her creative thinking, cultural awareness, outspokenness, public speaking, and social media wellness content creation; Talia leaves a legacy of being an extraordinarily passionate and intuitive blessing that loved to help others rediscover their inner selves and kickstart their journeys towards self-love, love, enlightenment, empowerment and ultimately healing. Talia was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Stewart B. Leonard of Alexandria, Louisiana and Eyhraune Jau-Sanne of St Croix, US Virgin Islands. May they both rest in peace and take good care of our baby girl until we see her again. She leaves to cherish her carefree spirit and sunny smile that would light up a room to; her mother and father, Vanessa and Sean Rice of San Antonio, TX; her sister, Keyaira Morgan of Dallas, TX; her sister Colemenay (Gadner) Guerrier of Fairfax, VA; her two nieces, Sa'Niyah Rice and Averie Guerrier (Colemenay and Gadner) of Fairfax, Virginia; her grandmother, Delores Leonard of Alexandria, LA; and a host of relatives and friends that she loved dearly. An 11:00 am service honoring her life will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023 at Zion Hill Church Family, 312 Hunter Street, Pineville, LA 71360. Talia was an alumna of Prairie View A&M University and was passionate about uplifting others. Our family has channeled our grief into continuing her passion by helping others pursue their educational goals. If you are moved, in lieu of flowers, our family asks if you can make a charitable donation in her memory. To continue Talia's mission, all proceeds will go towards the Talia Y. Rice Scholarship fund, named in her honor. Donations can be made via Zelle: (337) 353-1972 (Sean Rice) or (337) 353-7997 (Vanessa Rice) Please keep the Rice family close in prayer. ~Miller & Hill "The Funeral Directors"