Paul Rice

Paul Rice, 79, of 21 Dogwood Road, Candler, went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 21, 2008. Mr. Rice was a native of Madison County and was a son of the late Douglas and Minnie Clark Rice. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Glennis Crowder Rice, who died in 1998, two sisters, Gypsy Rice and Rosie Ball, and two brothers, Troy and D.C. Rice. Mr. Rice founded Rice Trucking Co. in 1978, and he was a member of New Liberty Baptist Church. He is survived by one daughter, Sandy Rice of Fletcher; five sons, Joe Rice and wife, Becky, of Candler, Billy Rice and wife, Robbie, of Hickory, Larry Rice of Texas, Gary Rice and wife, Cindy, of Swannanoa, and Mike Rice and wife, Alice, of Leicester; one sister, Gladys Edwards and husband, Attley, of Weaverville; twenty grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Gerald Sprinkle and Danny Little officiating. Burial will be at New Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Rice's grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. Sunday at the funeral home and at other times will be at 21 Dogwood Road, Candler. The family expresses appreciation to the staff of the Laurels at Greentree Ridge and also CarePartners Hospice. Memorials may be made to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.