Adam has consistently demonstrated a commitment to assisting those in need, having served numerous families in the funeral service profession since 2001. From a young age, he felt a calling to support his community through funeral service, beginning his career in a funeral home immediately after graduating high school in Jacksonville, Alabama. He diligently progressed through his education and training within the funeral home, starting with basic tasks, including gravedigging and installing polypropylene vaults to supplement his income. Two years later, he achieved full licensure as a funeral director, embalmer, and certified crematory operator at the age of 20.

He possesses a funeral service license in North Carolina and previously held one in Alabama. Adam is an alumnus of the Funeral Service Education Department at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, AL. Additionally, he has earned the title of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) as a graduate and member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, where he voluntarily adheres to a higher standard of continuing education in the field of funeral service.

Growing up in a military family, Adam spent his childhood on various Army bases in Hawaii, Germany, and Alabama, although the majority of his formative years were spent in Alabama. He graduated from Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, AL, where he met his wife, Lesley. Together, they are the proud parents of two daughters: Fern Elisabeth and Mabel Grace "Mae."

Adam became part of the team at Anders Rice& Roper Funeral Home and Cremation Center in July 2013, and in September 2022, he assumed the role of owner and president. 

In 2025, he was nominated and recognized by the trade publication "American Funeral Director" as a Runner-Up for the American Funeral Director Award. 

In his leisure time, Adam enjoys camping, fishing, spending time outdoors, reading, and studying the Bible.

Adam and his family are members of Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church in Asheville, and they live in the Leicester community. 

Adam derives his strength to support the families he serves through his faith in The Lord Jesus and has structured his business to honor and glorify God. Psalm 115:1 "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!"

Lesley is a funeral assistant and co-owner of Anders Rice and Roper Funeral Home, which she is grateful to operate alongside her husband. Serving families during some of life’s most meaningful moments is not just their profession — it is a calling they share. Whether she is assisting with services, meeting families, managing the bookkeeping, or ensuring the building feels welcoming, Lesley believes every detail matters when caring for people well.

She recently graduated from Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, where she earned her North Carolina Funeral Director Diploma, and is currently working to obtain licensure in Funeral Directing.  She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. Her education equips her to confidently support both the compassionate and practical sides of the business.

Outside of the funeral home, she is a proud homeschooling mom of two wonderful girls, Fern and Mae, and actively serves in her church. Her faith, family, and work in the community are deeply connected, and she considers it an honor to serve in each of those roles.  Whenever she gets a free moment, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book or walking along the paths in Biltmore's gardens.

Lennie was born in Winston-Salem and was raised in Madison County.  He graduated from Madison High school in 2006, and one month later, he enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman. He was stationed in Germany and loved exploring Europe. During his time in the Army, Lennie deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lennie returned home to Madison County, where he pursued a career in firefighting and emergency medicine, and for a time, a long-haul truck driver. Lennie always had a passion to help people in need, and once an opportunity opened for him in the funeral industry, he jumped on it.

After working in a funeral home and observing the lives changed by funeral directors, Lennie decided to enroll in the Mortuary Science degree program at Fayetteville Technical Community College. He completed his degree at the end of 2024 and received his Funeral Service License. Lennie joined Anders-Rice in May of 2022.

Lennie has a daughter named Aaliyah, who is a wonderful upcoming artist. In Lennie’s free time, you will see him working on the homestead and  fishing. Lennie attends California Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

Brittany is a native and lifelong resident of Leicester, NC, and is the daughter of Jackie and Roger Cantrell.

Brittany joined our staff in June of 2025 as our Office Administrator. She previously worked in the Childcare industry for 9 years.

In her free time, she enjoys being with her family, camping, fishing, and reading the Bible.

Tim was born and raised in West Asheville and is a graduate of Enka High School.

He married Sally Rogers on June 21, 1970, and together, they have five children: Mark Jr., Matthew, Jonny, Joshua, and Lisie. They also have 16 grandchildren: Katelyn, Caleb, Chloe, Stella, Logan, Annaliese, Maddox, Bennett, Josiah, Jeremiah, Joyanna, Megan, Sarah, Mason, Carter, and Hunter.

Tim spent 45 years in the office equipment service industry with the last 35 years being spent with Advanced Business Equipment. He retired as Service Manager in 2015.

He joined our staff in March 2018 as a part-time Funeral Director Assistant, assisting with funerals and visitation.

Tim enjoys people, Bible discussions, camping, and woodworking.

Alex is a native of Avery County, NC, and he is married to Kim Wells Caraway. They have a daughter, Brittany.

Alex worked with Anders-Rice Funeral Home formerly for many years, and he returned to our part-time staff in September 2022 as a Funeral Service Assistant.

Alex and his family are members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

David helps to serve our families as a member of our part-time staff.

Born and raised in Henderson County, Cindy is a native of Western North Carolina. She is the daughter of the late D. Lee Glover. She has two beautiful adult children and two precious grandchildren, all of whom she lovingly refers to as the "Lub-dubs" of her heart.

She attended East Henderson High School and is a 1985 graduate of the Asheville-Buncombe Community College, where she obtained her nursing degree. She was called into the nursing profession at a tender age and says she will always feel blessed to have served both her community and overseas during her 37 years of nursing. She is also the founder of the North Carolina Nurse Honor Guard, which continues to flourish under her leadership. 

Cindy joined our part-time staff as a Funeral Service Assistant in November 2022, and her strong faith, love, and compassion now shine bright to the many families she serves. As a follower of Christ, she is a member of Enon Baptist Church of Pisgah Forest and lives her life according to Matthew 25:40.

Fern Roper is the daughter of Adam and Lesley Roper and is a native of Western North Carolina. 

Fern enjoys working with her dad to serve the families of Anders-Rice Funeral Home by helping to open doors, handing out memorial folders to family and friends at services, and operating the sound system in the chapel.

Fern is an active member of the Sandy Mush 4H Club and a long-time dancer with In His Steps Dance Ministry in Asheville.

Fern enjoys reading, playing with her friends, going to church, and camping.

Mabel Grace "Mae" Roper is the daughter of Adam and Lesley Roper and is a native of Western North Carolina. Mae enjoys working with her dad to serve the families of Anders-Rice Funeral Home by helping to open doors and handing out memorial folders to family and friends at services.

Mae is an up-and-coming 4H member with the Sandy Mush 4H Club and is a dancer with In His Steps Dance Ministry in Asheville.

Mae enjoys dancing, horses, playing, and camping.

Jill has always had a passion for helping others in their time of need. She is currently working towards her degree in Mortuary Science at Fayetteville Technical College. 

She has two grandchildren by her late daughter and a wonderful son-in-law. By going back to college, she has found it to be therapeutic and has found solace in working with others through their grief. She considers Atlanta to be home, but moved back to her native state of North Carolina to be with her daughter shortly after her second grandchild was born in 2019.

Grace works as part of our aftercare program, reaching out to our families after services to check-in on their well-being.

Her greatest passion is to help and serve those in her community. She also enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family.

Lily moved to Asheville at the age of 12. She had a strong interest in funeral service and helping others from a young age. Lily says that she is excited about the opportunity to join our team and hopes to be a blessing to many of our families.

Lily joined our team in April 2024 as a part-time office assistant.

In her free time, she enjoys making homemade hot sauces and perler bead bowls. 

Nancy is a native of Burke County, NC, and a 1977 graduate of East Rutherford High School in Forest City, NC. Nancy and her family moved to Buncombe County in 1978.

Nancy retired at the end of July 2025 as the Office Administrator of Anders-Rice Funeral Home.  She is the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. John Tiller and Margaret McCracken Tiller. She has two brothers, Rev. Dr. David Tiller (wife Debi of Smyrna, TN) and Mark Tiller (wife Ann of Candler, NC) and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Nancy worked in the travel industry for 24 years prior to her joining our staff full time in June 2008.

She enjoys people, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

John was born and raised in West Asheville. He married Jonell Thompson on February 17, 1961, and they have two daughters: Teresa Gilliam (husband Rev. Gene Gilliam) and Deborah Kane (husband Adam Kane). They also have a granddaughter, Ryon Reynolds, and a grandson, Collin Gilliam.

John retired from RC Cola after 36 years of service.

He joined our staff in November 1990 and worked full-time from January 1995 to May 2006. John has continued as a valuable part-time Funeral Director Assistant until 2023.

John has lived in Candler for the past 50 years and is a member and ordained Deacon of Pole Creek Baptist Church.

In his spare time, his hobbies include camping and traveling.

Daryl is a native of Morgan County, TN, and has resided in Western NC since 1970. He graduated from Coalfield High School in 1970 and is a 1981 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, receiving the Scholastic Achievement Award.

Daryl is married to the former Mary Skelton of Asheville, and he is an ordained Minister.

Daryl joined the staff of Anders-Rice in February 2004 as a Funeral Service Licensee. In 2020.

His hobbies include playing gospel music, horseback riding, and riding his motorcycle.

May 31, 1944 - October 18, 2025

John is a native of West Asheville. He worked in the gourmet food industry and serviced the Ingles stores for more than 30 years. 

He is married to Evetta Smith Warren, and together, they have 3 children: Pam, Curtis, and Annissa. They also have three grandchildren - Alisa, Dwayne, Alex - and many great-grandchildren.

John worked with Anders-Rice Funeral Home from 2005 through 2020, and he returned to our part-time staff in October 2022 as a Funeral Service Assistant.

John enjoys socializing, attending church at Freedom Baptist Church, and studying the Bible.