Earlean Price

A woman of immense faith joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as her adoring husband, Emmit Price, in Heaven, November 10, 2007 at the age of 85.Earlean Price of Mesquite, TX was born on July 20, 1922 in Ennis, TX to John Andrew Searcy and Jessie Moore Searcy.Earlean was one of four daughters: Juanita Reeves(d), Ollie Dean Jackson(d) and Earlean's twin, Alean Griggers. Born to a poor farming family, Earlean learned at an early age the hardships of life.John Searcy taught his daughters that you should work hard at any job you are given, no matter how small, while Jessie Searcy showed her girls the importance of hospitality.Anyone that ever met Earlean Price knows she exuded these qualities more than anyone around her.At a fairly young age, Earlean had to put these qualities into practice when her father passed away and her mother was forced to sell their family farm.Since they had no sons to take over at the farm, the Searcy women moved into the town of Ennis.Since the family was struggling financially, Earlean decided to drop out of high school to take a full time job as a telephone operator.While Alean put up a fight against Earlean dropping out of school, Earlean insisted her twin sister take her place in the classroom. Not long after the Searcy family moved into Ennis, another family moved to town under the same circumstancesthe Price family.Mrs. Price was older, and most of her sons had enlisted in the military.One such son, Emmit Monroe Price, caught the eye of Earlean early on.According to Mrs. Price her first impression was that Emmit was "stuck on himself." She knew several friends wanted to create a meeting between Emmit and Earlean's eldest sister, Ollie Dean.However, Emmit had other ideas upon his first meeting with Earlean.She claimed she was not impressed with his wit and charm, but agreed to meet him on several occasions during his military leave in Ennis.Four years and four proposals later, Earlean agreed to marry Emmit Price. Emmit and Earlean were married in the house of the local preacher on June 4, 1944 and immediately left to go live on a near by military base.This would be the first of many bases they would live on during Mr. Prices' 20-year career in the Army.While her husband was away at war, Mrs. Price continued to have hope that he would return to her safely.She wrote letters to her husband that were filled with love and devotion for him, and she encouraged him in ways only she was capable. After being married for seven years, Emmit and Earlean decided to start their family.The Lord blessed them with three children, Linda, Michael and Kathleen.When the Price family settled in Mesquite, TX in the 1960s, Earlean began working for the Mesquite Independent School District.She held various positions before retiring, but as her father taught her, she worked hard for her family and could be proud of the work she had done. While Mrs. Price was a devoted wife and mother, she was also devoted to the Lord and loved to take part in His work here on Earth.Earlean, along with her husband, helped to build and establish the congregation of Edgemont Baptist Church at an early stage in the church's history.Up until her death, Mrs. Price was still a member of that congregation. Earlean Price strongly believed in the power of prayer, and she took to heart 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.Mrs. Price was the most gracious and thankful person that I have ever met.No matter what the circumstances, Earlean had faith that the Lord would provide for every one of her needs.She prayed continuously for her husband, children, grandchildren and great-children as well as friends, neighbors and acquaintances.Earlean never stopped sharing the reason for her joy and continued to lead people to the Lord and encourage them in their relationships with Him even at the age of 85. Even though in the last two years of Earlean's life, she saw her health decline, had to be separated from her husband of 62 years for health reasons and eventually had to endure the death of her beloved husband, she never lost her faith.She remained strong and steadfast until the end.The words of Paul have never rung so true than now for Earlean's family, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.(2 Timothy 4:7-8).My Grandma has always been a Princess in my eyes, and now I know she is wearing her crown of righteousness and rejoicing with the angels as she sits at the foot of Jesus' throne, Earlean Price is survived by her children Linda Carol Dixon, Michael Dale Price and Kathleen Roberts; grandchildren Shannon Price, Matthew Dixon, Elizabeth O'Brien, Rachel Dixon, Jeremy Roberts, Justin Roberts, Kasha O'Neil and Loyce Pickett; several great-grandchildren; her beloved twin sister Alean Griggers and several in-laws, nieces and nephews.