History…

Since the founding of Anders-Rice Funeral Home & Cremation Center in 1937 we recognize the many changes that have occurred over the years in our industry. We continually strive to offer the most up-to-date source of information to keep you informed.

We were established July 1st, 1937 on Haywood Road in West Asheville. Our Founding Fathers were J.B. Burgin Anders, C.J. "Curtis" Rice and the Rev. W.S. "Scott" Vehaun, all of whom provided the foundation, professionalism and reputation we are proud of today.

We have continued our family owned tradition for more than 60 years by offering to our community and the families of Western North Carolina a complete personalized service in all areas of burial and cremation choices.

People…

James T. "J.T." Rice, Sr.

J.T. is a native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County and was married September 12, 1948 to the former Doris Elaine Miller. They have one son, Tommy, who serves as Manager of our firm.

A second generation Funeral Director, J.T. serves as President and Treasurer for Anders-Rice Funeral Home and is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer with over 60 years experience.

His education includes Woodfin Grammer School, Grace High School, Mars Hill College and a graduate of the first class of John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science.

J.T. is a veteran of World War II, serving in the US Army-Air Corps, stationed in Nuthamstead, England as a Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner on B-17's. He is also a licensed pilot.

He is an honorary member of the West Asheville Kiwanis Club and a former member of Biltmore Kiwanis Club, of which he served as President of both and was a former Lieutenant Governor of District 1 of Kiwanis of Western North Carolina.

Professionally, he is a former District Director and a member of the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association, member of the National Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the Flying Funeral Directors of America.

In our community, J.T. served on the Asheville Civil Service Board, Buncombe County Sheriff's Advisory Committee, past Chairman of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority, Mars Hill College Board of Advisors and Trustees, and charter President of the Western Carolina Pilots Association.

J.T. is a member of the Vance Masonic Lodge, member of the Oasis Shriners Temple, and a member of Newbridge Baptist Church.

His hobbies include his love of flying and boating on Lake Lure.

Doris M. Rice

Doris is a native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, and was married in 1948 to J.T. Rice. They have one son, Tommy, who serves as a Director with our firm.

Doris is a 1944 graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School. She is the daughter of the late William Cassady "Cass" Miller and Bessie Covington Miller, formerly of Asheville.

She is the Secretary of Anders-Rice Funeral Home and assists in many duties, including driving the second family car as needed, attending children of family members during funeral services, filing death certificates, and overseeing all of the social activities for our staff and their families.

Doris is a member of West Asheville Baptist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Western North Carolina Aeronautical Association. She serves as a volunteer for many organizations, including The March of Dimes, American Heart Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the American Cancer Society.

Her hobbies include her love for craft making, which she is well known for her Ribbon Roses, bowling, boating, and spending time with her family.

James T. "Tommy" Rice, Jr.

Tommy is a lifelong resident of West Asheville. He is a 1974 graduate of Asheville High School, a graduate of Asheville-Buncombe Technical College where he received his Associates Degree in Accounting, a graduate of Mars Hill College receiving his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a 1979 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, GA.

A third generation Funeral Director, he started in our Funeral Profession at the age of 10. Tommy is our Vice President and General Manager and is the son of James T. (J.T.) Rice, Sr. and Doris Miller Rice.

He has been a licensed Funeral Director since 1976, a licensed Embalmer since 1979 and holds his Life Insurance license currently serving as District Manager for Investors Heritage Life Insurance Company through our pre-need department.

Tommy is an active member of the Asheville-West Rotary Club where he has served as President and on numerous committees and is a member of the Paul Harris Society. He is involved in many community services and helps serve as a volunteer for many of the non-profit associations.

His hobbies include traveling, reading, hiking, motorcycle riding and boating at Lake Lure.

Lucille Robinson (Retired)

Lucille is a native of Henderson County and, along with her family, moved to West Asheville as a small child, where she resided most of her life.

Lucille is a graduate of Emma High School and attended Blanton's Business College where she studied Bookkeeping. She is also a graduate of Western Academy of Hair Design.

She was employed with Anders-Rice Funeral Home for over 37 years where she served as Secretary and Office Manager. Lucille, as a Licensed Cosmetologist assisted hundreds of our families with their loved one's hair care and cosmetics.

She resides in Candler and has one daughter, Beverly Wright and husband Pat of Greensboro, and grandchildren, Jay and Sarah Wright. She also has a step-daughter, Jackie Kent and husband Spencer of Waynesville.

Lucille is a member of Grace Baptist Church in West Asheville and enjoys cooking and outdoor activities.

Joe Morgan

Joe was born and raised in the Bethel section of Haywood County and is a graduate of Pisgah High School.

He served four years in the U.S. Air Force and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant. After returning home, he attended Western Carolina University and graduated in 1976 with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration.

Joe married Nancy Ray on December 29, 1979 and they have two children: daughter, Jolie Sigmon and husband Dr. Justin Sigmon of Johnson City, TN; son, Jonathan Morgan and wife Morgan of Wake Forest, NC and granddaughter, Ella Sigmon.

Joe joined our staff in February of 1991 and is a licensed Funeral Director.

He has lived in Weaverville since 1979 and attends the First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville.

In his spare time, he enjoys camping, traveling and spending time with his family.

John Styles

John was born and raised in West Asheville. He married Jonell Thompson February 17, 1961, and the have two daughters: Teresa Gilliam and husband Rev. Gene Gilliam, and Deborah Kane and husband Adam Kane; as well as a granddaughter, Ryon Gilliam and a grandson, Collin Gilliam.

John retired from RC Cola after 36 years of service.

He joined our staff in November, 1990 and worked full-time from January, 1995 to May, 2006 having continued on our part time as a Funeral Director's Assistant.

John has lived in Candler for the past 40 years and is a member and ordained Deacon of Pole Creek Baptist Church.

In his spare time his hobbies include camping and traveling.

Bryan Whitson

Bryan was born and raised in Mitchell County and is a 1996 graduate of Mitchell High School. He then attended Mayland Community College where he obtained an A.A.S. degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting. In 2002, he graduated with honors from Fayetteville Technical Community College with an A.A.S. degree in Funeral Service.

Bryan married Kathy Mashburn on December 3, 2003. He has two children: Brianna Fair Mashburn and Aaron Scott Mashburn and a grandson, Logan Zane Nathaniel Buckner.

Bryan joined our staff in June, 2004. He is a Funeral Service Licensee.

Bryan and his family currently reside in Candler. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, motor sports, playing bluegrass, country and gospel music, and researching both local and funeral service history.

Daryl Overton

Daryl is a native of Morgan County, TN and has resided in Western NC since 1970. He graduated from Coalfield High School in 1970 and is a 1981 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, receiving the Scholastic Achievement Award.

Daryl is married to the former Mary Skelton of Asheville. He is an ordained Minister with the United Christian Church of Cleveland, TN. He and his wife are members of Friendship Baptist Church.

Daryl joined the staff of Anders-Rice in February, 2004 as a Funeral Service Licensee with over 23 years experience.

His hobbies include playing gospel music, horseback riding and riding his motorcycle.

John Curtis Warren

John is a lifelong resident of Buncombe County. He married Evetta Smith January 11, 1963, and they have three children: Pamela, Curtis, and Annissa as well as three grandchildren; Alisa, Curtis, Jr. and Alex and one great-granddaughter; Adrianna.

After thirty years in the specialty food management, John joined our part-time staff in March, 2007 as a Funeral Director's Assistant on Funerals and Visitations.

John is ordained with United Christian Church (non denominational) of Cleveland, TN.

His hobbies include reading and Bible studies.

Margaret McCracken Tiller

Margaret is a native of Buncombe County and the daughter of the late Jim and Julia McCracken. She, along with her husband, Rev. Dr. John T. Tiller, resides in Candler and she has three children: David, Mark and Nancy; several grandchildren & several great-grandchildren

Margaret is our staff organist, having played for hundreds of services over the years. Along with her love and support for our local families through her message in music, she enjoys collecting lighthouses and photography.

She is a member of Biltmore Baptist Church.

Jerry Luther Wilson

Jerry Luther Wilson is a lifelong resident of Fairview, the youngest son of Luther and Margaret Wilson. He is married to the former Dena Biggs and has two sons, Alan and Daryl, and two daughters, Denise and Celeste. He also has three grandsons: Jared, Garrett, and Colby.

Jerry attended AC Reynolds High School and in 1960 joined the US Army, serving 2 ½ years in Germany. In 1979, he graduated from Fruitland Bible College with an Associates Degree in Religion. Then he attended Mars Hill College for 2 ½ years studying Religions and Pastoral Ministries. He graduated from the Mid Atlantic Bible College and Seminary in Rock Hill, SC with a BA Degree in Religion. Jerry has pastored Southern Baptist churches for over 20 years.

Jerry joined our staff in May, 2001 and assists families during visitations.

His hobbies include working on high horsepower racing motors, "Racing on the River" in the 1960's, painting and body repair, and camping with his family.

Alex Caraway

Alex was born and raised in the Elk Park Community of Avery County. He graduated from Avery High School in 1983 and is a graduate of Lees-McRae College with an A.A.S. Degree in Business Administration.

He and his wife, the former Kim Wells, were married May 7, 1988 and they have one daughter, Brittany. Alex lives in the Leicester Community and along with his family, attends Corinth Baptist Church.

Alex joined our part time staff in July 2000, assisting families at visitations.

In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and any outdoor activities.

Jonathan Brogden

Jonathan is a native of Henderson County and is a 2003 graduate of West Henderson High School. He is also a 2008 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science and was a member of the Pi Sigma Eta Honors Fraternity.

Jonathan joined our staff in March 2008 and is a Funeral Service Licensee.

Along with being a Funeral Service Licensee, he is also a certified Personal Fitness Trainer. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends, softball, and time spent at the gym.

Nancy Tiller

Nancy is a native of Burke County, NC and a 1977 graduate of East Rutherford High School, Forest City, NC. Nancy and her family moved to Buncombe County in 1978.

She is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. John Tiller and Margaret Tiller of Candler and has two brothers, Rev. Dr. David Tiller & wife, Debi of Smyrna, TN and Mark Tiller & wife, Ann of Candler, and several nieces & nephews.

Nancy worked in the travel industry for 24 years prior to her joining our staff full time in June of 2008 where she serves as our Office Administrator.

Nancy is a member of Biltmore Baptist Church.

She enjoys people, cross-stitching, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Community Service…

Our staff is very active in the community through Rotary, Kiwanis & other Civic Organizations, providing scholarships to local schools for students pursuing a college education, assisting with Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets to needy families in our area, working with local churches in fund raising and social events, non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Hospice, etc. We take pride, as well, in supporting our local Law Enforcement Agencies, Fire Departments and Emergency Management Systems.