Adam has always had a passion for serving those in need and has served many families in the profession of funeral service since 2001.

He holds a funeral service license in North Carolina and formerly in Alabama. He is a graduate of the Funeral Service Education Department at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, AL. He also holds the distinction of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) as a graduate and member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

As the child of a military family, Adam lived on several Army bases during his childhood in Hawaii, Germany, and Alabama. However, most of his childhood was spent in Alabama. He attended and graduated from Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, AL, where he met his wife, the former Lesley Edwards. Together, they have two daughters: Fern Elisabeth and Mabel Grace "Mae."

Adam joined the staff at Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center in July 2013, and in September of 2022, he became the owner and president. In his free time, Adam enjoys camping, fishing, spending time outdoors, reading, and studying the Bible.

Adam and his family are members of Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church of Asheville, and they reside in the Leicester community.

Lesley Edwards Roper is the daughter of Bobby and Holli Floyd Edwards. She graduated from Jacksonville High School and Jacksonville State University, where she majored in Accounting. She assists with services, cares for the staff, and is the bookkeeper for the funeral home.

Lesley is primarily a homemaker, raising her and Adam's two daughters, Fern and Mabel "Mae" as well as homeschooling them.

Lesley enjoys reading, studying the Bible, camping, cooking, and chickens.

Lennie was born in Winston-Salem and was raised in Madison County.  He graduated from Madison High school in 2006, and one month later, he enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman. He was stationed in Germany and loved exploring Europe. During his time in the Army, Lennie deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lennie returned home to Madison County, where he pursued a career in firefighting and emergency medicine, and for a time, a long-haul truck driver. Lennie always had a passion to help people in need, and once an opportunity opened for him in the funeral industry, he jumped on it.

After working in a funeral home and observing the lives changed by funeral directors, Lennie decided to enroll in the Mortuary Science degree program at Fayetteville Technical Community College. He is currently working hard on his apprenticeship and nearing completion of his degree. Lennie joined Anders-Rice in May of 2022 and is currently a Certified Crematory Operator

Lennie has a 9-year-old daughter named Aaliyah, who is a wonderful upcoming artist. In Lennie’s free time, you will see him working on the homestead, fishing, or doing homework. Lennie attends California Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

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, and he is an ordained Minister.

Daryl joined the staff of Anders-Rice in February 2004 as a Funeral Service Licensee. In 2020, Dary retired from his full-time position and now continues as a valuable part-time licensee.

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

Natalie was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA. After graduating high school, she attended Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. Since completion of the program in 2020, Natalie has honorably served the families of Arlington, TX, as a first-generation funeral director and embalmer. 

New to the Asheville area, Natalie enjoys the outdoors, cooking, being active, spending time with friends and family, and attending weekly Bible study. She has a German Shepherd-Lab mix named Dante. 

Natalie joined the Anders-Rice team in June 2023. Pending licensure in North Carolina, she is honored to assist in serving the families of the Asheville area on behalf of Anders-Rice Funeral Home. 

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

Nancy is the Office Administrator of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, and she is the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. John Tiller and Margaret McCracken Tiller. She has two brothers, Rev. Dr. David Tiller (wife Debi of Smyrna, TN) and Mark Tiller (wife Ann of Candler, NC) and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Nancy worked in the travel industry for 24 years prior to her joining our staff full time in June 2008.

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

Lily moved to Asheville at the age of 12. She had a strong interest in funeral service and helping others from a young age. Lily says that she is excited about the opportunity to join our team and hopes to be a blessing to many of our families.

Lily joined our team in April 2024 as a part-time office assistant.

In her free time, she enjoys making homemade hot sauces and perler bead bowls. 

Tim was born and raised in West Asheville and is a graduate of Enka High School.

He married Sally Rogers on June 21, 1970, and together, they have five children: Mark Jr., Matthew, Jonny, Joshua, and Lisie. They also have 16 grandchildren: Katelyn, Caleb, Chloe, Stella, Logan, Annaliese, Maddox, Bennett, Josiah, Jeremiah, Joyanna, Megan, Sarah, Mason, Carter, and Hunter.

Tim spent 45 years in the office equipment service industry with the last 35 years being spent with Advanced Business Equipment. He retired as Service Manager in 2015.

He joined our staff in March 2018 as a part-time Funeral Director Assistant, assisting with funerals and visitation.

Tim enjoys people, Bible discussions, camping, and woodworking.

John was born and raised in West Asheville. He married Jonell Thompson on February 17, 1961, and they have two daughters: Teresa Gilliam (husband Rev. Gene Gilliam) and Deborah Kane (husband Adam Kane). They also have a granddaughter, Ryon Reynolds, 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. Since then, John has continued as a valuable part-time Funeral Director Assistant.

John has lived in Candler for the past 50 years and is a member and ordained Deacon of Pole Creek Baptist Church.

In his spare time, his hobbies include camping and traveling.

Alex is a native of Avery County, NC, and he is married to Kim Wells Caraway. They have a daughter, Brittany.

Alex worked with Anders-Rice Funeral Home formerly for many years, and he returned to our part-time staff in September 2022 as a Funeral Service Assistant.

Alex and his family are members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

John is a native of West Asheville. He worked in the gourmet food industry and serviced the Ingles stores for more than 30 years. 

He is married to Evetta Smith Warren, and together, they have 3 children: Pam, Curtis, and Annissa. They also have three grandchildren - Alisa, Dwayne, Alex - and many great-grandchildren.

John worked with Anders-Rice Funeral Home from 2005 through 2020, and he returned to our part-time staff in October 2022 as a Funeral Service Assistant.

John enjoys socializing, attending church at Freedom Baptist Church, and studying the Bible.

David helps to serve our families as a member of our part-time staff.

Born and raised in Henderson County, Cindy is a native of Western North Carolina. She is the daughter of the late D. Lee Glover. She has two beautiful adult children and two precious grandchildren, all of whom she lovingly refers to as the "Lub-dubs" of her heart.

She attended East Henderson High School and is a 1985 graduate of the Asheville-Buncombe Community College, where she obtained her nursing degree. She was called into the nursing profession at a tender age and says she will always feel blessed to have served both her community and overseas during her 37 years of nursing. She is also the founder of the North Carolina Nurse Honor Guard, which continues to flourish under her leadership. 

Cindy joined our part-time staff as a Funeral Service Assistant in November 2022, and her strong faith, love, and compassion now shine bright to the many families she serves. As a follower of Christ, she is a member of Enon Baptist Church of Pisgah Forest and lives her life according to Matthew 25:40.

Fern Roper is the daughter of Adam and Lesley Roper and is a native of Western North Carolina. 

Fern enjoys working with her dad to serve the families of Anders-Rice Funeral Home by helping to open doors, handing out memorial folders to family and friends at services, and operating the sound system in the chapel.

Fern is an active member of the Sandy Mush 4H Club and a long-time dancer with In His Steps Dance Ministry in Asheville.

Fern enjoys reading, playing with her friends, going to church, and camping.

Mabel Grace "Mae" Roper is the daughter of Adam and Lesley Roper and is a native of Western North Carolina. Mae enjoys working with her dad to serve the families of Anders-Rice Funeral Home by helping to open doors and handing out memorial folders to family and friends at services.

Mae is an up-and-coming 4H member with the Sandy Mush 4H Club and is a dancer with In His Steps Dance Ministry in Asheville.

Mae enjoys dancing, horses, playing, and camping.

Grace works as part of our aftercare program, reaching out to our families after services to check-in on their well-being.

Her greatest passion is to help and serve those in her community. She also enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family.