Darlene Nunley Rice, age 67, of Roanoke, VA, passed away on December 26, 2022. She was born on December 2, 1955, in Rocky Mt., VA.

Darlene was united in Holy matrimony to the love of her life on December 24, 1977, at Natural Bridge Station. To this union was born one son, Ben Rice. She was a loving, dedicated wife and mother; her heart was with her family.

Darlene was a devoted Christian that loved the Lord with all her heart and exemplified the love of Christ in all aspects of her life. She was full of life and lived each day to the fullest; she was always looking for a new adventure. She was a woman who would share her many gifts and talents to the greater benefit of others; she taught at two different Christian schools as well as teaching music/piano in and out of her home and was also a social worker. Darlene was a United States Airforce veteran.

She was an avid runner who completed several marathons including Boston, Dublin, Ireland, Honolulu, and Anchorage.

Those left to cherish her memories are her loving and devoted husband of forty-five years, Tom Rice; son, Ben (Lisa) Rice; grandchildren, Aidan, Micah, and Lainey; siblings, Nancy Nunley, Melvin (Tammy) Nunley, and Danny Nunley; Honorary mother, Goldie Caldwell; special cousins, Dianna (Rick) Via, Donna Caldwell, and Lyn (Kim) Caldwell; and many other beloved family members and friends.

Services will be held privately at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, VA.

"She's now running her marathons on the streets paved in gold!"