Lois Sawyer Rice

Asheville Lois Marie Sawyer Rice, 88, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Aston Park Health Care Center. She was a native of Weaverville and a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse, having served as public health nurse with Buncombe County and later serving as plant nurse with Gerber. She was a former member of the Weaverville Presbyterian Church and long time member of Newbridge Baptist Church where she was formerly active in the choir and childrens Sunday School classes. Mrs. Rice was the daughter of the late Carl Sawyer and Mallie Aveline Edwards Sawyer and wife of Walter Harold Rice who died February 29, 1984. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Lillian Sawyer, Blanche Sawyer, Martha Lee Sawyer and Carlene Sawyer Mays; brother, Chan Hugh Sawyer and son-in-law, Mike Silver. Surviving are her daughter, Karen Rice Silver of Weaverville; sons, C. Bryan Rice of Asheville and Blix Rice and wife April of Easley, SC; grandchildren, Andy Silver, Katie Marie Silver Lusk and husband Chris, Logan Rice and wife Bekah, Sawyer Rice, Olivia Rice and Charlotte Rice; brother, Bo Sawyer and wife Mary of San Antonio, TX; brother-in-law, Gilbert Mays of Forest City; sisters-in-law, Helen Sawyer of Winston-Salem and Doris Rice of Asheville and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Newbridge Baptist Church with Rev. Skip Gillikin officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 PM Friday at the Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to: Newbridge Baptist Church, 199 Elkwood Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804.