Joyce Ann Price

Joyce Ann Martin Price “Nenaw” passed away quietly on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at her home west of Montgomery. She had enjoyed a beautiful fall day with her boys, grandchildren and great grand-children. Visitation and a meal with family and friends will begin at 12:00 PM on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Montgomery United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Texas. The funeral service celebrating her life will begin at 2:00 PM at the church officiated by Rev. Fred Carter and his wife, Barbara. They so lovingly brought the Word to Joyce in the past several months in her home. Also officiating will be Rev. David Lindwall and Rev. Nancy Kellond. Interment will immediately follow at The New Montgomery Cemetery. Joyce Ann was the 3rd of 6 children born to Andrew J. “Dock” Martin and Wilma Buchanan Martin on November 9, 1926 in Navasota, Texas. Her early years were spent in Navasota where she began school, returning to Montgomery when she was 9. As a member of one of Montgomery’s pioneer families she enjoyed the nurturing of extended family and developed an appreciation for the deep connections between her family and the community. As a child of the Great Depression, she learned to manage well with what was at hand but her great gift was to take both hardship and plenty- with a smile and an open heart. When she graduated from Montgomery High School in 1944, WWII was still raging and the town of Montgomery was dwindling. Joyce, like so many of her generation, was able to take advantage of the job opportunities resulting from the war moving to Houston to work for an oil company. She became a part of the Houston network of young people from Montgomery and surrounding towns extending those connections of family and community. Though she worked in an office, she loved playing tennis on the company team with her sister Billie Marie. This resulted years later in the building of a tennis court next to her home, which was the scene for many games and parties for the next 3 generations. All of her life Joyce enjoyed singing, dancing, being active outdoors, playing tennis, fishing, water skiing, and walking the home place. In her later years she maintained her title as “Queen of Ping-Pong Alley” for her competitive spirit. Things changed greatly once WWII ended and the men began to return from the service. Joyce began to date one such recent serviceman from her hometown, James E. Price. She and James were married on April 4, 1947 and they made their home in Houston. She continued in her job and he completed a degree from the University of Houston. In the early 50’s they returned to Montgomery making their home on the Price Place. There they began to define their place within the network of extended family and community. She and James enjoyed people and were always interested in what was happening around them. They were initially involved in the Price family farm, but ultimately both turned to jobs in Conroe and Montgomery. James became well known for his work as County Surveyor. Joyce, though busy with a growing and active family of 3 rowdy boys, was able to balance that with work outside of her home. She is probably best remembered for the many years she and her sister, Billie Marie Sanders, worked in the administrative offices for MISD-a vantage point from which she could keep an eye on her children, and then her grandchildren. She took great joy in her role as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother sharing her love of nature, history, and people; imprinting each succeeding generation with a strong sense of tradition on an even stronger foundation of love. Her gentle strength, gracious spirit, and sympathetic ear supported and nurtured a good portion of western Montgomery County. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Price; beloved son, Tom S. Price; sisters, Mattie Jo Holland Hill, Billie Marie Sanders and Wilma Dee Justiss. She is survived by her children, James M. Price and wife Donna; daughter-in-law, Holly Price; and David O. Price and wife Janet. Her grandchildren, Zachary S. Price, James “Cole” Price and wife Brandy, Emiley Goulet and husband Ed, Jacy Price and partner Heather Denman, Thursa Kelly Price, Cade M. Price and wife Lesley, Weston O. Price, Dylan M. Price, and Ethan J. Price. Her great-grandchildren, Layla, Sage, Clara, Ryder, Jaxon, Hunter, Eadie, Sadie, Gentry, and one on the way. Joyce is also survived by brother, Andrew “Docky” Martin and wife Mary; and sister, Tina M. Paden and husband Gary; as well as many Martin and Price nieces, nephews, and a host of those who feel as if they are her children.

Joyce Ann Price

November 9, 1926 - October 28, 2018