Mrs. Thelma Ballew Rice, 76, of Mars Hill, NC passed away on Saturday, February, 4, 2023, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. Thelma is the daughter of the late Lois Ballew Ingle. She was also preceded in death by a daughter: Kathy Rice. Thelma was a Member of Gabriel's Creek Baptist Church where she was instrumental in developing the Youth Group which she cared for deeply.

Thelma is survived by her husband: Kenneth William Rice; two daughters: Teresa Hughey (James) and Monica Buckner (Blake); and six grandchildren: William and Thomas Hughey and Gavin, Kane, Rowan, and Wren Buckner.

A funeral service will be held at Gabriel's Creek Baptist Church in Mars Hill, NC at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, with Rev. Gary Coates officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The Rice family will receive friends from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Monday evening, February 6, 2023, at Blue Ridge Funeral Service in Mars Hill, NC.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.