Hager, Mary Wills Rice

Mary Lou Wills Rice Hager, age 80, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at the Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Rich Creek, VA. Born on August 27, 1940, she was the daughter of Allen Edward Wills and Cathryn E. Dunn Wills. At two years of age, on May 12, 1942, after the death of her parents, Mary Lou was raised by her grandmother, Martha Wills, known by all as Granny Wills.

Mary Lou was of the Christian faith and a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, known as Mountain Ministries in Narrows, VA. She will always be remembered as a loving, kind, compassionate woman that loved God and going to God’s house.

Mary Lou lived most of her life in Midway, Rich Creek, VA. Her neighbors and church family were her go-to for socializing. She loved all of her family and loved for them to come and visit her. ALS is a terrible disease that eliminates your from talking and communicating in a normal way, but she always tried to make you feel welcome.

In addition to her parents, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Rice; grandmother, Martha “Granny” Wills; father-in-law, Cliff Rice; and infant daughter, Barbara Ann Rice, who died at birth on July 8, 1964. Her life was spent mostly taking care of family members until their passing, starting with the only mom she ever knew, then her husband of 37 years, and lastly, her father-in-law.

Survivors include two daughters, Darlene French (Larry) of Rich Creek, VA, Sandra Perkins (Jeff) of Pearisburg, VA; one son, Clifton Rice (Angela) of Newbern, VA; seven grandchildren, Bryan French (Linda), Dustin French, Adam French (Nicole), Trista Oakes (Gordon), Levi Clark, Caitlyn Noe (Matt), and Nathan Rice; and nine great grandchildren. Mary Lou’s grandchildren and great grandchildren loved to come to grannies to visit on holidays to eat and fellowship. Also surviving is one sister, Betty Sue of Narrows, VA; and her church family, friends, and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown, WV, with Rev. Jim Hagy officiating. Burial will follow at Peterstown Cemetery in Rich Creek, VA. Visitation will be from 12:00PM until time of services on Wednesday at the funeral home. Bryan, Josh, Dustin, Tyler, and Adam French, Levi Clark, and Nathan Rice will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, it was Mary Lou’s wishes that a donation be made in her name to the ALS Foundation for Life (either online: http://alsfoundation.org/give/ or by mail: ALS Foundation for Life, P.O. Box 96, Natick, MA 01760).

Due to the regulations associated with COVID-19 and the WV Governor’s mandate, those attending the visitation and funeral services shall wear a mask and practice social distancing. Online guestbook can be signed or condolences may be sent to the family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com. Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, WV.