Obituary of Emma Bryan Paul Rice ~ 2008

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: New Bern Sun Journal Mar 21 2008

NEW BERN - Emma Bryan Paul Rice died quietly on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 
at The Homeplace of New Bern after a long fight against Alzheimer's 
disease. She was born on December 26, 1927, in Silver Hill, North Carolina.
Emma was a tireless worker in her church and the community. She served as 
a Gray Lady at Craven Regional Medical Center in the 1980s, volunteered 
for many years at the Soup Kitchen, and was an active member of the 
Homemaker's Extension organization. She also served many hours as a 
volunteer at the Caswell Training Center in Kinston.
She was a beloved and involved member of Riverdale United Methodist Church,
where she served as treasurer for many years, and was elected Lay Person 
of the Year for 1992.
Emma was known for her needlework skills, including quilting, cross-
stitching, and sewing. She was also well known for her beautiful yard and 
garden.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Reuben Nathaniel Rice.
She is survived by her two daughters, Gail Gardner and her husband, David, 
of New Bern, and Susan Wells and her husband, Alan, of Jacksonville. She 
is also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Gary 
and Anna Gardner and their children, Hailey and Caleb, of Wilmington, Greg 
and Melanie Gardner and their children, Sam and Hollyn, of Sanford, Graem 
and Megan Gardner and their daughter, Avery, of Raleigh, Jennifer Ritter 
and her fiancé, Doug Merrill, of New Bern, and Emily Ritter of Jacksonville.
Emma is also survived by her three brothers and their spouses, Robert and 
Sadie Paul, Bennie Paul, and Hoyt and Pat Paul, all of Silver Hill; and by 
her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Margie Rice of New Bern, Vic 
Kropaczek of Goose Creek, and Carol and Vernon Daniels of Merritt.
The visitation will be held on Friday, March 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 
Pollock-Best Funeral Home, and other times at the home of her daughter and 
son-in-law, Gail and David Gardner, 807 Thyme Court, New Bern. The funeral 
service will be Saturday, March 22, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Pollock-
Best Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at the Paul Cemetery in Silver 
Hill.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to 
Home Health Hospice, the Alzheimer's Association at 400 Oberlin Road, 
Suite 220, Raleigh, N.C. 27605 or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Pollcok-Best Funerals and Cremations, New Bern.
Paid obituary





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