Lucille Delorice Price

Mother Lucille Delorice Price, 87, of Forsyth, Georgia (previously residing in Capitol Heights, Maryland) departed this life on December 30, 2017 at 9:17 a.m. Mother Price entered the world on September 27, 1930 in Stanaford, West Virginia. Growing up as the middle child with 6 older siblings and 6 younger, she was the 7th child of the late Marion Fralin Scott and William Fralin. Her father died when she was a toddler and she was raised by her stepfather, James Scott, who she so dearly loved. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters; Margaret, Eunice, Lorene, Maryland and seven brothers; William, Robert, Richard, Louis, James, Eugene, and Kenneth. Her sole surviving sibling is her youngest sister, Drema Fructuoso of New York, NY. Mother Price received her education in public schools graduating valedictorian of her class from Conley High School in Mullens, West Virginia. Her goal was to attend nursing school, but as fate would have it, she met Cornice Udell Price and they were married on April 26, 1952 at her brother William’s home in Wyco, West Virginia. They worked hard to build a good life for their three children. After living in various residences in Washington DC, they purchased a home in Seat Pleasant, Maryland (now Capitol Heights) where they resided for over 50 years from 1960 until 2010. Mother Price was a devoted wife and mother who loved and cared for her husband and children throughout her life. Her penchant for cooking and ironing rendered her children as the most well-nourished and best dressed in the community. She was incredibly protective of her children, therefore, the bullies of today would have a change of heart given her shielding spirit. Mother Price was extremely supportive of her family and friends. If you were in need, she would spearhead the fundraising campaign with joy and tenacity. Refusal to contribute was not an option. Although they always gave, her children would often joke about the number of times that she called requesting a donation for a cause. Growing up, Mother Price went to church every Sunday with her Grandmother. At the young age of 14, she committed her life to Christ and remained a faithful unwavering servant of God. She believed all things were possible through faith and prayer. Mother Price was a praying woman. She did not view God as a lawyer that you only call when you need one. She honored God each and every day. The moment you met her you knew she was a child of God. She devoted her life to sharing the love she received from Christ with everyone she touched. While others may have been of the world, she would often say, “Sweetheart, I can’t get you into heaven, you’ll have to get there for yourself.” In her final days, she suffered greatly, and when many, if not most, may have questioned God’s purpose, she only praised him. The Word of God Baptist Church” pastored by Rev. Dr. John L. McCoy was her home of worship for several decades. Mother Price was a faithful member and was instrumental in the success of the church. She served on several committees and obtained the status of “Mother” in the church. Forsyth, Georgia became Mother Price’s home in 2010. Her new place of worship became “Mt. Gilead Baptist Church” in Forsyth, pastored by Rev. McArthur Childs. Mother Price continued her spiritual journey dedicated to doing God’s work. She often remarked that Mt. Gilead reminded her of the church that she so often attended with her Grandmother. Mother Price shared the word of God through her living and her poetry. From her time in grade school, she had a passion for poetry. She absolutely loved to recite poems of faith, hope and redemption. We listened in awe of her ability, up until the time of her death, to remember scores of poems which were a blessing to hear as well as uplifting to the heart and soul. As the poet laureate for her church, family reunions and friends and family, when called upon to recite, she literally transformed and spoke every word with great emotion and passion. We will truly miss two of her favorite poems, “I’m Awfully Well for the Shape I’m In.” and “Heaven’s Grocery Store.” Mother Price was a brilliant cook and homemaker. As a matter of fact, her home is where everyone gathered to eat. Her signature dish was yeast rolls and if you ever tasted them no other bread could ever compete. The rolls were golden brown, light as a feather, as big as your fist and she always served them straight from the oven piping hot, dripping with butter. To see her season a chicken was like watching an artist paint a portrait and oh how tender, falling off the bone. She could clean a fish and fry it so golden that you thought you were in Fort Knox. And when your stomach was about to burst, she served the best tasting cobbler in the East. Georgians believe that they make the best “sweet tea” in the world but surely it is because Mother Price resided there. Honestly, Mother Price was fierce in the kitchen. The love, caring, pride and joy she put into her cooking is surely a relic of the past. As she aged she was not able to cook very much but her desire to prepare a great meal never faded. The neighborhood kids loved her and affectionately referred to her as “Ma Price”. Over the years she kept numerous children residing in the community. She cared for them as her own, and in many cases her home was their second home. She lived to see many of the children she kept mature into successful, productive and well respected members of society. We are confident that her love and nurturing played a role in their success. While a stay-at-home mom, Mother Price established herself as an entrepreneur, selling Stanley Home Products for over 30 years. Her product demonstrations were like infomercials and her sales technique was superb. Whether you needed a product or not, she convinced you to purchase something, time and time again. She was honored with several awards and was consistently one of Stanley’s top sales representatives. Those left to cherish her loving memory: daughters; Delorice Ford of Fredericksburg, VA, Audrey Lenai Price-Latham (husband Edgar) of McLean, VA, son Cornice Ray Price, Sr. (fiancée Tracy Deaton and son, Jordan) of Byron, GA, two grandchildren; Cornice Ray Price Jr., Raven Haydon, and three great grandchildren. She also leaves one sister; Drema Fructuoso of New York, NY, four brothers-in-law; George Price (wife Charlotte) of Capitol Heights, MD, Lawrence Price of Roanoke, VA, Rufus Ferguson of NC, Donald Pierce of Roanoke, VA, three sisters-in-law; Yuvonne Tinsley of Roanoke, VA, Katie Scott of Stone Mountain, GA, and Signe Fenwick of Upper Marlboro, MD as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church families. As our Mother would often quote the words of her Grandmother as she passed into Glory, “I’m Done.” Family and friends are invited to attend Mother Price’s Life Celebration at The Word of God Baptist Church, 6513 Queens Chapel Road, University Park, MD 20782 on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Dr. John L. McCoy, Officiating. There will be a viewing at the church from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 5, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pope Forestville Chapel, 5538 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, MD 20747, telephone, (301) 568-4100. A full obituary can be viewed at www.popefh.com. Interment at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery

Lucille Delorice Price

September 27, 1930 - December 30, 2017