Merle Rich

Merle J. Rich, age 86, of Spindale, died Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
Born January 15, 1932 in Rutherford County, she was a daughter to the late Claude Ray and Martha Randall Ray. Merle worked at Snyder Mills for several years and was a member of Goodes Creek Baptist Church. The joy of her life was being able to spend time with her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Billy H. Rich; one son, Jerry H. Rich; three brothers, Bill, David and C.G. Ray and a sister, Helen Ray Grant.
Those left to cherish her memory include two daughters, Deborah R. Ballew of Forest City and Marlene R. Taylor and husband, Steve of Gaffney, SC; one son, Keith Rich of Spindale and brother, Gene Ray and wife, Jeanetta of New Mexico. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Jerriann Rich Ouravanh, Angela Jenkins, Sondra Wills (Jeremy), Ashley Rich, Brendon Rich, Brenae Rich, Brittley Rich, Alan Smith (Missy) and fourteen great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Chad Hayes officiating. Interment will follow in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at funeral home.
Memorial donations are requested to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 to Meals on Wheels or the Goodes Creek Baptist Church, P.O. Box 720, Cliffside, NC 28024.