Rufus Hugh Rice

Asheville - Rufus Hugh Rice, 84, of 126 Goldview Rd. died Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at the Mountain Area Hospice Solace Center following a brief period of declining health. A native of Madison County and a graduate of Marshall High School. He had resided in Buncombe County since 1945 . He retired in 1980 after 40 years of service from Ed Orr Motors as the Service Manager. Mr. Rice was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he was a member and teacher of the Mens Bible Class. He also taught the Young Peoples Class and the Phelepia Bible Class. He had served on the Board of Deacons and was the former chairman of the cemetery committee. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving during WW II and was a member of Vance Masonic Lodge #293. Mr. Rice was the son of the late Jacob Thurman and Emaline Nancy Bishop Rice. He was also preceded in death by his son in law, Rex Rhodes and brothers, Ellis Rice and Julius Rice. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Edna Gage Greene Rice of the home; daughter, Brenda R. Rhodes of Asheville; son, Carroll Dean Rice and wife Wanda L. of Asheville; grandchildren, Brent Rice and Wife Lori, Tammy R. Norton, Chad Williams and wife Jamie and Angela Shelton and husband Paul; great grandsons, Dylan Moody and Houston Norton; brothers, Clifford H. Rice, Johnnie H. Rice, and Huel H. Rice all of Asheville and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Keith Watkins and Rev. H.L. Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory with Masonic Graveside Rites conducted by Vance Masonic Lodge #293. The lodge will open at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. The family would like to express their appreciation to the Hospice Solace Center for the love and compassion given to our family during our time of need. Anders-Rice Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.