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Martha Lee (Gartee) Price was born in Canton, Mississippi, on February 7, 1933, to the late Clifton Cornelius (Buck) Gartee, Jr. and Lessie Lee (Ross) Gartee. While still very young, Martha and her family moved to Jackson, MS, where she lived for most of her life. She peacefully entered the presence of Jesus in the early hours of August 21, 2021, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Martha married her beloved husband, Charles, on February 4, 1954, in Jackson. Soon after, the young couple moved to Washington, D.C. where Charles was serving in the United States Army, assigned to the Pentagon. At this time in 1955, Martha gave birth to their precious first-born son, Charles Silas Price, Jr. (Chuck), who lived for only six weeks and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
After 2 years of service, they moved back to Jackson where they raised three children. They were long-time, faithful members of Woodville Heights Baptist Church in South Jackson where she enjoyed teaching four-year-old children’s classes, playing softball, and pulling pranks on newlyweds.
Following his 41 years of service at Farm Bureau Insurance, Martha and Charles moved to Mendenhall, MS, where Charles was born and raised. They were active members of First Baptist Church, Mendenhall for 25 years. While in Mendenhall, Martha was active in various civic opportunities such as the Main Street Beautification projects, The Business Women’s Club, and participated in the Annual Parade of Homes.
In early 2020, Charles and Martha moved to their son’s home in Chattanooga where they lived at the time of Martha’s passing.
She leaves behind her cherished husband of 67 years, Charles Silas Price; one daughter, Pam Harpole (Kirk) of Hattiesburg, MS, two sons, Randy Price (Kelly) of Brandon, MS, and David Price (Karen), of Chattanooga, TN.
She also leaves behind six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and her son, Martha was preceded in death by her older sister Kathryn Lawalin (’08), and her twin sister, Mary Hall (’20).
Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 26, 2021, with a memorial service immediately following at First Baptist Church, Mendenhall, Mississippi. The burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS at 2:30 p.m.
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My precious friend of 57 years will be missed by all who knew her. I first met her in my first year of teaching when her son, Randy, was in my first grade class. We immediately became friends. Even though many miles separated us, our friendship stayed strong. When it’s my turn for Heaven, there will be much rejoicing.