Cashoka Jade Rice

May 7, 2021 Paul's Chapel Viewing from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
May 8, 2021 Hoopa Tribal Cemetery from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Our beloved Daughter, Sister, Niece and Cousin passed on the afternoon of April 29, 2021 in the City of Orange in Orange County California where she received radiation treatment for cancer. She stayed with her Auntie Jill and Uncle Jimmy Warne in San Diego during her treatment while longing to be home with her Mom & Dad (Lesley and Tim), Brothers (Tashone and Tyler), and Grandpa Sherman. Cashkoa is a Potawatomi word meaning "strong runner" but we like to think it meant "Shooting Star" as she was a burst of bright life to any gathering, her dimpled smile and shinning eyes attracted attention easily but like a butterfly moving from flower to flower she was off spreading kind words and sincere compliments to the next person who needed it most.
Cashkoa is preceded in death by her Grandma, Patricia Bussell Sherman, Grandfather Johnny Rice, Grandmother Joanie Bronson Rice, Great Grandpa Clem I Bussell Sr. and Great Grandma Juanita Dartt Bussell, Great Grandpa Herman J. Sherman Sr, and Great Grandma Libby Moreck Sherman, Great Grandfather Clayton L. Rice, and Great Grandmother Laura Kibler Rice.
Cashie is survived by her Mom and Dad (Lesley and Tim Hunt), Brothers (Tashone Rice and Tyler Hunt), Grandpa Herman D. Sherman Jr., Grammie Ida Lucas and Poppa Kenny Lucas and her father Dominic Rice. Her Uncle and Aunt (Duane and Kayla Sherman), Auntie and Uncle (Jill and Jim Warne); Auntie Sabrina and Anastasia Rice. Cashkoa is also survived by her first cousins; Troy Fletcher Jr., Cody Fletcher, Josh Sherman, Phylecia Sherman, Duane Sherman Jr and wife Maryia, Cheyenne Rice, and Briaunna Sherman; her great cousins: Cody Fletcher Jr., Hazel Fletcher, Raayoy Fletcher, Dane Sherman, and Reagan Sherman. She was also close to her Aunties and Uncle; Farrah and Louie Gamino, and Nicole Ferris and her BFF, Kikya Marshall. Cashkoa will be dearly missed by many friends and family.
Cashkoa was the girlie girl from the very beginning. She loved wearing dresses and playing with makeup. She was 4 years old when family realized she learned to do the perfect eyeliner. She gave her first hair cut at 5 years old on the neighbor's daughter never mind that Mom had to explain and apologize for her daughter's scissor-welding techniques. Cash was the girl who fashion just seemed to be inherent to her DNA. In kindergarten, she once asked her teacher if she was wearing her (teacher's) dad's t-shirt as a dress? Cashie recommended adding a belt to make it look better. Teachers would comment that they never saw Cashkoa wear the same jacket twice! Cashie enjoyed being a cheerleader, Volleyball, Soccer, and Golf. She enjoyed golfing especially because it allowed her to get out of class early and be outside. She liked cheering her brothers on during football games from the stand. She and her mom enjoyed being homebodies. They also enjoyed traveling to Redding to shop at Buckle for those "jeans." Both enjoyed sleeping late and Lesley defended Cashie's tendency to sleep late because like her it wasn't hurting anyone by sleeping too long.
Although Cashkoa was the youngest girl of the cousins, she had to be tough to keep up with them. They didn't treat her like a baby. She had to handle tough mud fights, being left behind in the dark returning from the river, riding dirt bikes and crashing, and getting into a good fight with punches and being wrestled to the ground. She had to stack and chop wood with the rest of them. She even enjoyed pulling fish from the net surprising her Uncle Duane one day when he was looking at the net and saw a fish, Cash immediately headed down the trail to take it. She cleaned it up and it was ready for dinner that night. Like many kids, Cashie had a tough time in high school with those that enjoy hurting and bullying others. Still, Cashkoa saw the best in everyone and considered everyone her friend even when we were concerned of those that did not have her best interests, but wanted her good heart. She loved to go play in the snow or 4x4ing with her brothers and her laughter was contagious. Sometimes all it took was a look between the siblings to get the laughs started. Tashone was fiercely protective of Cash and Cash was as fiercely protective of both Tashone and Tyler. They loved each other and even when each was tired of the other there was still love. She worried and wanted her brothers to find good people in their lives so they would be happy and hoped their friends/girlfriends would be good to them. She wanted them to be proud of all she had done to change her life but her health issues were big and it really made her mad that she couldn't be the person she was because she simply didn't have the energy to do much of anything. On her good days she was proud to help around the house and make smoothies for mom and dad in Hoopa.
Cash and her Mom loved music of the 80's and they would laugh and sing while cruising down the road or heading to Eureka. Auntie Nicole and her would enjoy singing all the way to Santa Rosa. Cash called it happy music and she could often be found jamming to Michael Jackson or Madonna. She also loved Karoke! Lesley went through two Karoke machines so they could sing and have fun all night with friends. "Muriel's Wedding, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink" were movies that she and her mom could watch over and over. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" always reminded her of her brother Tashone because everyone was always asking about him. Lesley and Cash spent much time picking out the perfect prom dress and hours getting Cashie's hair color just right. When it came time for Halloween Grandma Pat, Mom Lesley and Cash would be planning the perfect costume. Cashie was Grandma's special grandchild. It wasn't that Grandma loved her more it was just they had a connection not to mention the same hazel colored eyes. There was a kinship that went deeper and Grandma was the first to come to Cashkoa's defense especially if she felt the older cousins were picking on Cash. In high school she would often cut and style friends hair but one time she had a friend in tears while she laughed not because it was funny but because she knew that even though it looked a terrible orange it was going to be perfect once the process was done and it was! However she determined it was best to leave the hair bleaching to the professionals and not have friends crying or angry.
Cashkoa's soul was that of a healer and artist. She could walk into a room and know immediately who was hurting, in pain, angry or depressed. She would work to make them feel better even if it meant giving away the things she herself needed or wanted. She could immediately tell if you had a bad day or were feeling down. She would listen while others poured out their hearts. As an artist not many would get to enjoy her painted rocks transformed into butterflies, frogs and hearts. Cashie loved to make jewelry. She made many earrings and necklaces to sell but always ended up giving them away. Her Aunties and friends still wear many of her beauties. Cash and had big plans to sit with her best friend, Kikya Marshall and bead. Once at the house with Kikya and little Rob, Hazel and Cody Jr. she realized that beading with kids around would take more patience than she had so they just watched movies while Hazel painted her face. Cashie planned to make jewelry with her Mom, Auntie Farrah or friend Kori once in Hoopa. She loved being close to her Grandpa (Shack). He was a comfort and just being near him while he watched TV late into the night/early morning she stayed close with her BB (cat) snuggling on the couch.
Tashone, Cashie's older brother, planned to build a loft apartment for Cashie once he built his own house because he wanted her to live close to him. Cashie lived for a while with her Great Aunt Darlene and Great Uncle Jim, where she had her own cabin and worked at the store with them. Cashie enjoyed her family and was fortunate to be able live with them and form close connections. She enjoyed living with her Uncle Duane in San Diego where she developed her love for Southern California. Cashie had a hard time and decided she could not go back to Hoopa; so determined her future would include a life in San Diego She lived with auntie Jill and uncle Jimmy in San Diego and had a safe place to fight her cancer. She was frustrated that she was finally getting balance in her life… and then the diagnosis. Unfortunately, her emotional, physical and mental pain was too much for her little system. With her mom, Lesley, still recovering from her stroke Auntie Jill was there in her stead to help her with her pain and take her to her medical appointments and just listen and be there for her. Jill and Jimmy have an empty space in their home since she made her journey, but her wonderful presence and kind heart are still present their home. Uncle Jimmy is Oglala Lakota and Cashie joined him and family for a buffalo hunt on Pine Ridge. She was so proud that she took a bite of the fresh liver after the hunt as tradition required. She enjoyed the acceptance from the Lakota family and the mentorship from Uncie (grandma) Beverly Stabber Warne. Cashie was immediately part of the Lakota family. She was looking forward to the next hunt and visit to the Rez, although she said she would probably pass on the liver. Cashie was even given a Lakota name.
While Cashie didn't seem much of a planner she always thought about the things she was going to do way in advance. She was excited for the upcoming summer and her mom's annual birthday float. She bought a swimsuit and waterproof speaker for the occasion. She already bought her mini-me, Hazel, a makeup kit for her birthday later in May. She wanted to protect Hazel like Grandma Pat protected her. She planned a card for her Dad Tim and some good cigarettes because the one's he smoked were "harsh." She just knew her and her brothers would plan a few trips to the snow in the coming winter. She looked forward to reconnecting with her Great Aunt Marilee and meeting some of her other family. Enjoying family was instilled in her and her heart was big enough to love all that she met. She will forever be the "Shooting Star" who blazed bright giving our lives laughs, love and light. We love you and will miss you but we know you and Grandma are now making pies while we still grapple with just saying "Goodbye."
Pallbearers: Tashone Rice, Tyler Hunt, Duane Sherman Jr., Troy Fletcher, Cody Fletcher, Ryan Hall-Warne, Joe Davis, Junior Davis, Curtis Kane, Adam Robertson, Valin Davis, Arnie Davis, William Davis, Joe "Bro" Jarnaghan Jr., Aaron Williams, Talon Williams, Joseph Lewis, Jason Reed, JJ Jackson-Reed, Ronnie Reed, Charlie Reed, Ryan Reed, Jonah Davis, James Rickaby III, Demetrius Villegas, Blake Hostler, River Goldade.
Honorary Pallbearer's: Tim Hunt Jr, Duane Sherman Sr., Jim Warne, Dominic Rice, Lonnie Ferris, Louie Gamino, Johnny Guiterrez, Andy Sadis, Leonard "Spam" Ferris, Jim Mesuna, Tim Bussell Sr., Gordon Bussell, Arnold Davis, Joe Joe Jarnaghan Sr., David Masten, Timothy Bussell Jr., Clarence Bussell, Scooter Bussell, Issac Bussell, Bruce Bussell, Joshua Sherman, Robert McBride,

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