Mary Frances White

Marion Mary Frances Rice White, 88, of 434 Lake Tahoma Road, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at her home. A native of Buncombe County, she had resided in McDowell County since 1951 where she, along with her husband, was a co-owner of Rice & White Furniture Store. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who served with many organizations as a long time volunteer including American Red Cross, McDowell County Hospital Auxiliary and McDowell Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. White was a member of Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church where she was a member of the New Hope Sunday School Class. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star-Biltmore Chapter #38 and Pleasant Gardens Home Extension Club. Mrs. White was the daughter of the late Curtis Jeter Rice and Lila Laughter Rice. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, W. Harold Rice and James T. J.T. Rice, Sr. Surviving are her husband of 65 years, Roger William White of the home; daughters, Lynn Roach and husband John of Winston-Salem and Kathryn Mann and husband Marty of Asheville; grandchildren, David Roach and wife Kate of Asheville and Emily Harrison and husband Evan of Fayetteville; great granddaughter, Natalie Harrison; sisters-in-law, Doris Rice, Lois Rice and Lura Freeman; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Betty White and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church in Marion with Rev. Jerry Allen officiating. Graveside services will be held at 3:30 PM Saturday at Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 to 10:45 AM Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to: Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church, 214 P.G. Baptist Church Rd, Marion, NC 28752 or American Red Cross, 39 North Garden St, Marion, NC 28752 or McDowell Hospital Auxiliary, 430 Rankin Dr, Marion, NC 28752.