Virgil "Spanky" Rice

            Virgil “Spanky” Rice, age 75 of Asheville, NC, passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at Pisgah Manor in Candler. Spanky was born on June 14, 1946 to the late Bernard Rice and Gertrude Fender Rice in Buncombe County, NC. He was a truck driver until he retired. Spanky was a private person and a humble man. He was a loving, thoughtful and a generous man who enjoyed being on the lake, fishing, camping, and bowling.
            Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Louise Pocus Rice; a daughter, Sheila Matthews of Candler; a son, Johnny (Ila) Byars of Asheville; two granddaughters, Brittany Burrell of Hendersonville, and Angel Sasser of Raleigh; four grandsons, Bradley Byars of Canton, Cody and Corey Mitchell of Candler, and Brent Owens of Asheville; four great-granddaughters, Adalee, Aubrenae, Jenna and Allieona; and three great-grandsons, Aubren, Sawyer, and Zade.
            A graveside service will be held at 2:30pm, Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory located at 901 Aiken Road, Asheville, NC 28804. The family respectfully requests any memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
            Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Rice Family and assisting them with arrangements.

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