Cassandra Dee Rice, 58, of Jacksonville, IL, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

She was born Sept. 17, 1965, in Creek, CO, the daughter of Donald James and Lucille Zook. She married Andy Switzer on Sept. 28, 2020, in Las Vegas, NV, and he survives.

She is also survived by two sisters, KC Cheyne of Crawfordville, FL and Sunny Shawley of South Jacksonville; three nephews, Alec Ingram, Phillip Ingram, and Anthony Ingram; one niece, Ariel Ingram; two great nieces, Aria Skye Hetzel and Frankie Ingram; one great nephew, Leo Ingram; and her beloved fur babies, Smokey, Bella, Itty Bitty, and Goldie. She was preceded in death by her mother and father.

Cassie was a graduate of Cheatham County High School in Ashland, TN. She was a veteran of the armed forces, serving four years with the United States Navy as a welder working on submarines, and as a heavy equipment operator for six years with the United States Marine Corps, where she was stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1993 to 1997. Following her military service, she worked as a substitute teacher and later as a city metro bus driver and was eventually promoted to supervisor. She had the ability to drive any size bus. Cassie was very crafty and loved woodworking, knitting, and working puzzles. She learned how to play piano and guitar and loved singing karaoke. She had an incredible passion for every living creature.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or P.A.W.S. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at buchanancody.com.