Julius H. Rice

Asheville - Julius Hardwick Rice, 77, of 739 Aiken Road, died Sunday December 30, 2001 at St. Josephs Hospital after a brief illness. A native of Madison County he had lived most of his life in Buncombe County. He had retired in 1988 from Rice Alignment as owner and operator. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, song leader and Sunday School teacher. He also taught singing schools and sang with numerous Southern Gospel Quartets throughout Western North Carolina and was a WW II Army Veteran. He was a son of the late Jacob Thurman and Emeline Bishop Rice. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Ellis Rice. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Nedra Wade Rice of the home; daughters, Peggy McConnell and husband, Bill of Jonesborough, TN, Juanita Shanley and husband, Gerry of Asheville and Livia Hine and husband, John of Arden; son, Arthur Rice and wife, Angie of Sevierville, TN; brothers, Rufus Rice, Clifford Rice, Johnnie Rice and Huel Rice all of Asheville; 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandson and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday January 1, 2002 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Keith Watkins and Rev. Ralph Sexton, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. His family will receive friends from 7 to 9:00 p.m. Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home.