Rachel Marston Rice

Rachel Marston Rice of Lynchburg passed away June 1, 2017, at the Elms of Lynchburg, Virginia, following a lengthy illness. She was the wife of the late Jesse Otis Rice. Rachel was born in Charlotte County, April 19, 1924, a daughter of the late L. Watt Marston and Mary E. Marston. Rachel was a member of Mead Memorial United Methodist Church and retired from General Electric Company. She loved to travel and work with her hands, and in her retirement, she made crafts of different kinds, but she especially loved painting and making jewelry. Rachel painted each piece in dazzling colors.

Rachel is survived by a daughter, Kaye R. Wilson (Alfred) of Longs, S.C.; a son, Barry Rice (Angela) of Hurt, Va.; six grandchildren, Kim Bussey (Mark) of Lynchburg, Kevin Wilson (Stacy) of Lynchburg, Tally Updike (Ben) of Brookneal, James Gregory of Hurt, Richard Gregory (Caitlin) of Alexandria, and Ben Gregory of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Charlotte Arrington of Richmond, Va.; three brothers, Bennie O. Marston (Jerleen) and J. Renneth Marston (Frieda) of Red House, Va. and Kenneth L. Marston (Janice) of Appomattox, Va.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Polly Marshall, Christine Jenkins, Evelyn Metcalf, Ruth Carwile, Watson L. Marston, and Ryland Marston.

A graveside service will take place in Fort Hill Memorial Park on Monday, June 5, 2017, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends at Tharp Funeral Home, 220 Breezewood Dr. Lynchburg, Va. on Sunday, June 4, 2017, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

The family would especially like to thank the staff of The Elms of Lynchburg and Centra Hospice for taking such good care of our mother. She is with her Lord and her family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mead Memorial United Methodist Church, 13317 Wards Rd, Lynchburg, Va. 24501.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.