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Velma Lois Kale Price of Helena-West Helena died after a brief illness on Dec. 3, 2008. She was born to the late Sandy and Luvenia Walker Kale on June 4, 1920 in West Helena.
Price joined True Vine Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. The church and its work became an integral part of her childhood and the activities of her adult life.
Price married Joseph Harry Price, Sr. in January 1938 in West Helena. That same year, Velma joined Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in West Helena where her husband, Joseph, was a member. In 1939, Joseph was called to the ministry. Her husband, the late Rev. J. H. Price, Sr. preceded her in death.
Mrs. Price learned what it was like to struggle, but she knew that through God, all things were possible. She pulled many cotton sacks and chopped in the cotton fields to help support her family. She also worked as a domestic during the early years. She worked at Westside Elementary School in the Helena-West Helena School District as a custodian for about 11 years and the cafeteria for 20 years.
She was the president of the Westside Elementary Parent Teachers Association for 10 years. She always took time to check on her children when they were in school. If a teacher said that he or she was having trouble with them, Mrs. Price did not spare the rod. She knew that the Bible states, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of discipline drives it far from him”: Proverbs 22:15. Her children affectionately called her “Muddear”.
Mrs. Price served on the trustee board, stewardess board, as a member of the choir, worked with missionaries and served as head of the program committee at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church for 20 years. She was a faithful member of Allen Temple for 70 years. She also served religious causes in the Helena-West Helena area by visiting other churches, whether they were Methodist, Baptist, or other denominations to accept welcomes, serve as mistress of ceremony and do readings or poems. She continued to support Allen Temple A.M.E. Church even after her health began to fail on Oct. 31, 2008.
Mrs. Price was named Outstanding Woman of the Twin Cities (Helena-West Helena) by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in 1976 for the many positive contributions she made to her community. She was well known and respected throughout the community. Mrs. Price enjoyed singing, cooking, sewing, working in her garden, reading and reciting poetry. She also was an avid wrestling fan.
She leaves 18 children, Gwendolyn C. Long of Temple Hills, Md., Stella M. Brown, of Calumet Park, Ill., Joseph H. Price, Jr., of Detroit, Collier Cale Price of Ft. Worth, Texas, Dr.Velma L. Smith of Houston, Willie R. Price of Helena-West Helena, Addletha J. Bledsoe of Dallas, Mary W. Jones Seaton of Austell, Ga., Wilma S. Smith of Little Rock, AR, Silas L. Price of Detroit, MI, Tennyson L. Price of Hyattsville, Md., Jarva J.Cole of Dallas, Janice M. Shumpert of Marianna, Rev. Benjamin E. Price of Houston, Kenneith J. Price of Helena-West Helena, Zebulon K. Price Reid of Arlington, Va., Charles W. Price of Little Rockand Mark A. Price of Marion; 25 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren; an aunt, Clara Kale Chisom of Helena-West Helena; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 120 S. Ashlar St.
Funeral services celebrating Mrs. Price’s life will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Twin City Church of Christ, 1615 Highway 49, Helena-West Helena. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Stephens Funeral Home.
Velma Lois Kale Price of Helena-West Helena died after a brief illness on Dec. 3, 2008. She was born to the late Sandy and Luvenia Walker Kale on June 4, 1920 in West Helena.
Price joined True Vine Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. The church and its work became an integral part of her childhood and the activities of her adult life.
Price married Joseph Harry Price, Sr. in January 1938 in West Helena. That same year, Velma joined Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in West Helena where her husband, Joseph, was a member. In 1939, Joseph was called to the ministry. Her husband, the late Rev. J. H. Price, Sr. preceded her in death.
Mrs. Price learned what it was like to struggle, but she knew that through God, all things were possible. She pulled many cotton sacks and chopped in the cotton fields to help support her family. She also worked as a domestic during the early years. She worked at Westside Elementary School in the Helena-West Helena School District as a custodian for about 11 years and the cafeteria for 20 years.
She was the president of the Westside Elementary Parent Teachers Association for 10 years. She always took time to check on her children when they were in school. If a teacher said that he or she was having trouble with them, Mrs. Price did not spare the rod. She knew that the Bible states, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of discipline drives it far from him”: Proverbs 22:15. Her children affectionately called her “Muddear”.
Mrs. Price served on the trustee board, stewardess board, as a member of the choir, worked with missionaries and served as head of the program committee at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church for 20 years. She was a faithful member of Allen Temple for 70 years. She also served religious causes in the Helena-West Helena area by visiting other churches, whether they were Methodist, Baptist, or other denominations to accept welcomes, serve as mistress of ceremony and do readings or poems. She continued to support Allen Temple A.M.E. Church even after her health began to fail on Oct. 31, 2008.
Mrs. Price was named Outstanding Woman of the Twin Cities (Helena-West Helena) by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in 1976 for the many positive contributions she made to her community. She was well known and respected throughout the community. Mrs. Price enjoyed singing, cooking, sewing, working in her garden, reading and reciting poetry. She also was an avid wrestling fan.
She leaves 18 children, Gwendolyn C. Long of Temple Hills, Md., Stella M. Brown, of Calumet Park, Ill., Joseph H. Price, Jr., of Detroit, Collier Cale Price of Ft. Worth, Texas, Dr.Velma L. Smith of Houston, Willie R. Price of Helena-West Helena, Addletha J. Bledsoe of Dallas, Mary W. Jones Seaton of Austell, Ga., Wilma S. Smith of Little Rock, AR, Silas L. Price of Detroit, MI, Tennyson L. Price of Hyattsville, Md., Jarva J.Cole of Dallas, Janice M. Shumpert of Marianna, Rev. Benjamin E. Price of Houston, Kenneith J. Price of Helena-West Helena, Zebulon K. Price Reid of Arlington, Va., Charles W. Price of Little Rockand Mark A. Price of Marion; 25 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren; an aunt, Clara Kale Chisom of Helena-West Helena; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 120 S. Ashlar St.
Funeral services celebrating Mrs. Price’s life will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Twin City Church of Christ, 1615 Highway 49, Helena-West Helena. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Stephens Funeral Home.
