Myrtle Frances Rice Ferguson

Myrtle Frances Rice Ferguson, 80, of Narrows departed this life on Monday, January 26, 2009 at her home. A lifelong resident of Giles County, she was born on November 29, 1928 and was the daughter of the late Luther Clayborne and Georgia Lillian Epling Rice. In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jabe Showalter Ferguson, Jr.; a son Jabe Showalter (Butch) Ferguson, III; five brothers and two sisters. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Narrows and was a former employee of Celanese Acetate in Narrows. A very devoted mother and grandmother, sister and friend, Myrtle cared for everyone she knew and loved. She was also a faithful Green Wave supporter when her son played sports for Narrows High School and took pride in her granddaughter's achievements. She is survived by a granddaughter, Kellie Nicole Ferguson, of Wytheville; stepdaughter, Kay Leigh Ferguson, of Charlottesville; two stepgrandchildren, Adam Bechte,l of Florida and Lily Ann Bechtel, of New York; a brother and his wife, Bill and Becky Rice, of Narrows; a sister, Nina R. Weiss, of Princeton; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Narrows. The family will receive friends at Riffe's Funeral Chapel Thursday from 12 noon until just prior to the service. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider either First Baptist Church of Narrows or the Giles County Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. Online condolence messages can be sent to the family at www.riffes.com.