Jesse Winston "Buddy" Price Memorial service for Jesse Winston "Buddy" Price will be held Wednesday, September 29, 2010, at 11:00a.m. at the Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel, with the Reverend Dennis Caves officiating. Burial will be in Toomsuba Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mr. Price, age 82, died at his home, Saturday, September 25, 2010. He was born August 6, 1928, to Leander Lafayette Price and Laura Bell Thompson Price at the family home in Toomsuba. He was delivered by Dr. James Monroe Shamburger of Toomsuba and Dr. William Jefferson Anderson who rode the train out from Meridian to Toomsuba to assist in the difficult delivery. He had one older sister, Annie Laura "Bebe" Price. He attended Dixie Highway School, Chamberlain Hunt Academy and Gulf Coast Military Academy. On February 3, 1944, at age 15, he left Gulf Coast Military Academy, rode a bus to New Orleans and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to San Diego, CA for Boot Camp training and upon completion was immediately stationed aboard the USS Fanshaw Bay, CVE 70, which was called "The Fighting Fanny Bee" by her crew. By age 16 he had participated in three major sea battles in the Pacific Theatre, those being Saipan, Halamahara, and Moratai. He was honorably discharged because of being under age. Upon reaching 18, in peace time, he re-enlisted and served on Arote, Guam, the USS Rendova, CVE-144 and the USS Boxer CV-21. During the Korean Crisis, he was called up to active duty in the US Naval Reserve and served aboard the USS Healy DD-672. He married Emma Lou Burt August 3, 1949 at ST. Paul Episcopal Church Chapel, by Reverend Duncan Hobart. To this union was born three children, Jesse Alan, Jeffery Burt, and Lu Ann. In early 1953 Mr. Price went to work for the Mississippi Power Company, Plant Sweatt and retired December 15, 1989 with almost 35 years and 11 months of service. He and his wife were blessed with 22 years of retirement together and they enjoyed each and every day of it. They enjoyed their morning quality time, having coffee on the patio, where they watched the doves come down to eat the corn he had put out for them. Mr. Price was a member of Toomsuba Baptist Church, having surrendered his life to his Savior Jesus Christ at an early age. He was a life member of VFW Post 79. He was also a life member of the National Rifle Association and the Veterans of the USS Fanshaw Bay, CVE 70. Mr. Price is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, his sons Jesse Alan and his wife Janet, Jeffery Burt and his wife Jan, his daughter Lu Ann Frey and her husband Toby. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Crystal Price Shelby and her husband, William; Jessica Griffin and her husband Brand; Jonathan Price and his wife Deanna; Jeremy Price and his wife Constance; Alyson Price, Teri Frey and Amy Frey; two step grandchildren Jeremy Sullivan and his wife Shantell; Amy House and her husband Jason; seven great grandchildren, Neely Guffey, Mason Price, Chase Price, Jaelyn Price, Jonah Price, Jesse Frey and Brady Griffin; and a greatly anticipated eighth great grandchild on the way; four step great grandchildren, Christian Sullivan, Kyle Sullivan, Kayla Goforth and Bailey House. He is also survived by his brother in law James E. "Sonny" Wright and his wife Joyce Powell Chumley Wright; two nephews, Joe Wright and his wife Louise of Horn Lake, MS; Jimmy Wright and his wife Jerri of Memphis, TN; dear neighbors and special friends, Faye Fore, Dennis and Judy Morgan and Phil and Kim Moss, all of Toomsuba. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Annie Laura "Bebe" Wright, a grandson, Jesse Alan Price, Jr. and a step grandson Christopher Sullivan. The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Kay Whitehead and the staff of Deaconess Home Health and Hospice Compassus who gave him such special care in his last days. Memorial gifts may be made to the Toomsuba Cemetery Association, c/o Faye Thomas at 7064 J.O. Thomas Road, Toomsuba, MS, 39364 or to the charity of your choice. Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, from 10:00-11:00a.m. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.
