Estalee Price

Another proud chapter of Mexia's history has been closed with the passing of Mrs. Estalee M. Price. Mrs. Price passed from this earthly realm on July 2, 2010 in Mexia at the age of 97. She was born July 12, 1912 in Carbon, Texas to Nathan C. and Amanda E. (Guy) Morris. In 1939, Estalee graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch with her Registered Nursing Degree. After working for a time at UTMB, she later went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing at Columbia University in New York City in 1945. Upon her return from New York, she held several management and education roles at UTMB. She was a member of The Heritage Council of The University of Texas Medical Branch, where she endowed a chair and a scholarship in the nursing school. She was very proud of her degree, her school, her endowment gift and her scholarship fund. In 1946 she married Rufus Elmo Price. They enjoyed 26 years of marriage until his death in 1972. During their marriage, the couple traveled extensively across the United States and abroad. The Price's moved to Mexia in 1951, and Mrs. Price was offered the chance to become director of nursing at the Mexia State School. She held that position, often teaching classes for employees about personal care of the students until her retirement in 1976. During this time, Mrs. Price was elected to the board of directors of the Mexia State School Credit Union, on which she served until 1982. She was president of the board from 1976 until 1982. Estalee served on the board of the General Mexia Hospital during the time the west wing was added. She had been a member of the Women's Friday Club since 1952, having served as president, secretary and parliamentarian. The First United Methodist Church or her second home as she referred to it, was a major part of her life and she served in many capacities there, including the choir which she was a member of for fifty years. In 1971 and 1972, Mrs. Price was chair of the administrative board, the only woman to serve in that position in the history of the church, which was founded in 1872. Mrs. Price was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, sisters, Opal Morris, Loretta Morris and brother, Guy Morris, Step-daughter, Miss Ruth Mary Price, Step-son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elmo Price and their daughter, Janelle Price, and Step-son and wife, Dr. and Mrs. Tom Price. Survivors include step-granddaughter, Vicki Price DeWeese and husband Thomas Peter, Step-great granddaughter, Amy and step-great grandson Kelly of Austin, Step-grandson, Tom Price, his two sons, Christopher Price of Portland, Oregon and Grant Price of Laramie, Wyoming. She is also survived by cousins, Jim Nagele of Pryor, Oklahoma and James Boles of Levelland, Texas and by her church family and her very special friends and caretakers at the Bowie House. Funeral services for Mrs. Price will be 2 PM Monday, July 5, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Mexia with the Reverend Brad Brittain officiating. Interment will be in the Eastland Cemetery in Eastland. Texas on Tuesday at 11 AM. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 PM at the church. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Don Shivers, James Dawley, Art Nutt, Bob Crider, Dan Franks, Mike Green, Bill Ferris, Kent Sheffield, James Lewis and Scott Mack. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Mexia Academic Sweater Fund.