Ella Jane Bagwell Rice

Ella Jane Bagwell Rice, 91, passed away on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

An Asheville native, Ella Jane was a daughter of the late Frank Bagwell and Bessie Wyatt Bagwell. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Marel “Red” Rice; daughters, Marlene Jones and Sandra Gail Rice; grandson, Frank Stallings; sisters, Ann Alley and Betty Morris; and brothers, William F. and Jack W. Bagwell.

Mrs. Rice is survived by her daughters, Shirley Godleski (Ted) and Betty Gunter (Larry); son, Marty Rice (Sandra); six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Mrs. Rice will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at Zion Hill Baptist Church, where Mrs. Rice had been a longtime member. Pastor Bobby Smith will officiate. Her family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will take place the following morning, Monday, September 20, at 10:00 a.m. at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory.

Her family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of CarePartners Solace Center, particularly Karen, Pam, Amanda and Ellen, for the care and compassion shown to Mrs. Rice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leicester Fire Department, P.O. Box 100, Leicester, NC 28748, or to Zion Hill Baptist Church, 1008 Newfound Rd., Leicester, NC 28748.