Mary Joanna Helms Price

Glade Spring, VA – School is dismissed; our beloved teacher closed her books for the last time. Mary Joanna Helms Price departed this world on Wednesday, December 5th, 2017 at the home she and her husband, Russell, built for their family in the early 1960’s. It was always a home filled with family, friends, great food, love, laughter and music. Many of the girls’ friends called Mary Jo “Mama” because of her never ending love and devotion to every young person whom she met.

Mary Jo’s life was touched by sadness as are all lives, but her unfailing optimism, her favorite saying that “the good Lord will never put more on you than you can endure” were beacons of light to each person who came to her for comfort. Mary Jo entered this world on April 1, 1929, the beloved first child of Pearle Hunter Owens and Roy Bond Helms, on a mattress behind the counter in a tiny country store on Highway 11, where her parents worked. Mary Jo spent her next twenty years caring for her five siblings: feeding them, bathing them, doing laundry, helping with schoolwork, anything she could do to help her parents with the children. Rosalyn Holmes, deceased, and husband Gene, deceased; Roy Helms, deceased, and wife Ann deceased; Johnene Helms, deceased; Martha Hoots and husband, Clyde; Pat Helms and wife, Susie. To this day, Martha Kate and Pat depend on Mary Jo just as they did their own mother.

Mary Jo graduated from Glade Spring School with honors and worked her way through Emory and Henry College, while she was a soda jerk at the Central Store in Glade. One day a young sailor, fresh out of World War II walked in and ordered a Orangeade. That sailor was our Daddy, Russell Price, and the rest was history.

They are survived by daughters: Martha Jo; Betsy (Bobby Detter); Cathy (Chuck Hicks). Sister Martha Hoots (Clyde), Pat Helms (Susie), numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mary Jo’s greatest happiness was her grandchildren: Melody Erin McCray (deceased), Melissa Hope Henderson, Brennan McCray, Bryan Henderson, Ashley Taylor, and Russ Hicks.
The great grandchildren gave Mary Jo more pleasure than she ever imagined: M.J. Eskridge, Erin Eskridge, Felicity Taylor and Carter Cash McCrayand Carter Cash McCray.

Graveside services for Mary Jo Price will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 8, 2017, in Mount Rose Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Marion, Va. V.F.W. Post 4667 Memorial Day Activity Fund, 861 Goolsby Street, Marion, VA 24354, in Mrs. Price’s name. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.

The Price family is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.