Clifford H. Rice

Asheville - Clifford Herman Rice, 82, of 56 Goldview Road died Thursday March 13, 2003 at St. Josephs Hospital following a period of declining health. A native of Madison County. He had resided in Buncombe County since 1945 and was a carpenter and farmer. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he served on the building and cemetery committees and was the church custodian for 15 years. He went on many mission trips where he helped build churches throughout the U.S.. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II, having served in Company C of the 160th Field Artillery Battalion. Mr. Rice was a son of the late Jacob Thurman and Emaline Nancy Bishop Rice and was also preceded in death by grandson, Darrell Edwards and brothers, Rufus, Julius and Ellis Rice. Surviving are his wife Marie Silver Rice with whom they married June 20, 1948; daughters, Patsy Edwards and husband, Ray of Asheville, Linda Franklin and husband, Tony of Alexander, Darlene Rice of Asheville and Tina Laughridge and husband, John of Marion; sons, James Rice and wife, Teresa, Tim Rice and wife, Mary and Stacey Rice all of Asheville; brothers, Johnny Rice and Huel Rice both of Asheville; 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 P.M. Sunday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Revs. Keith Watkins, Ebb Jenkins and H.L. Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with grandsons and great grandsons, Chris Edwards, Scott Franklin, Jason Franklin, Todd Laughridge, Miles Rice and Matthew Fisher serving as pallbearers and Cameron Moss, Andy Rice, Tyson Edwards, Thomas Rice and Jase Petterson serving as Honorary pallbearers. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Memorial Team. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 P.M. Saturday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home and at other times at the residence.