Ruby Bledsoe Rice

BARNARDSVILLE – Ruby Bledsoe Rice, age 94, of Barnardsville, died Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Ruby was born December 31, 1923 in Bedford County, TN, to the late Dave and Ida Willie Womack Bledsoe and was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life. She retired from the lunchroom of Barnardsville Elementary School. Also preceding her in death are her husband, Ray Rice who died in 2008; sisters, Laster McGee, Ida Ruth McGee, Essie Redd, and Ola B. Jones; brother, Oscar Bledsoe. Surviving are her daughter, Willie Mae Banks and husband Riley; son, Dayton Rice; former daughter-in-law, Velma Davis; grandchildren; Patricia Higgins and husband Kelly, Jim Banks, Dayton Rice, Jr., Dillon Rice and wife Brooke; great grandchildren, Ashley Higgins, Haley Bridges and husband Christian, Logan, Colby and Riley Banks, Savannah, Katlin, Brianna, Scarlet, Ray, Angela Bella and Caidin Rice. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. Reverends Lawrence Smith and Jonathan England will officiate. Burial will be in West Memorial Park, Weaverville. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 2, 2018 at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the home of Willie Mae and Riley Banks, 94 Town Branch Road, Barnardsville, NC 28709. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the staff at CarePartners Hospice. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Rice’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.