Helen Taylor Rice

Helen Taylor Rice, 78, of Glen Alpine, NC passed away Sunday, September 17, 2017.  Born in Buncombe County, NC on October 27, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Sam Taylor and Lucy Taylor Goldsmith.  Helen was a member of Pisgah View Pentecostal Holiness Church in Asheville.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family until the very end.  Most importantly, she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and served him faithfully.  She is now at peace with him.

Helen is survived by her husband of 55 years, the Rev. Bill Rice, Sr. of the home; a son, Billy Joe Rice, Jr. of Anderson, SC; daughters, Lisa Rice Keller and husband, Billy, and Lorie Rice Berry and husband, Andy, all of Valdese, NC; grandchildren, Erin Berry, Brooke Keller Shuman, Alex Berry, Connor Rice, and Emma Rice; a great-granddaughter, Peyton Shuman; half-sisters, Janet, Elizabeth, Pansy, and Barbara; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by a grandson, Spencer Berry; brother, Richard Taylor; and a half-sister, Marie.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at Calvary Freewill Baptist Church in Rutherford College, NC.  The funeral will be held at 4 pm in church with the Rev. Leonard Lindsey and the Rev. Jonathan Reece officiating.  Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum.  At other times the family will be at the residence of Lorie Berry on Anthony Avenue in Valdese.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.