Samantha "Buggy" Rice

Samantha “Buggy” Rice, age 31, of Forest City, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020 due to an automobile accident.

Samantha was born September 21, 1988 in Buncombe County, NC. She worked in manufacturing most of her life and most recently for Driveline Merchandising. Samantha loved her children dearly and enjoyed growing flowers. She was a Harley Davidson enthusiast and of the Christian faith.

Samantha was preceded in death by her companion and friend, Harley Rice, an infant brother, Timothy Nelson Rice; grandparents, Roy and Francis Baynard, Ola Shytle Higgins and Melbert Rice and Joyce Ramsey Rice.

Those left to cherish her memory include her two sons, Matthew and Samuel Girdler of the home; parents, Beverly Owensby (Dennis) of Forest City and Billy Rice (Elizabeth) of Morgan County, Tennessee; sister, Tabitha Rice of Tennessee;  brothers, Justin Rice of Rutherfordton, Brandon Rice of Forest City, Lucas Owensby of Forest City; step-brothers, Adam Owensby of Wilmington, NC and Zachary Pardon of Forest City;  two aunts, Bonnie Cooper and Becky Kriske both of Forest City; step-grandparents, Pat and Wayne Weathers of Shelby and a number of cousins and friends.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Dale Austin and Reverend Ricky Owens officiating. Interment will follow in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.