Mary Ann Blair Price

Mary Ann was born September 22, 1949 in Evansville, Indiana to the late James and Adelle Blair. She accepted Christ at an early age under the guidance of Rev. W. R Brown, Sr. of New Hope Baptist Church, which her grandfather (Willie Greer) was founder. Mary Ann attended Chestnut-Walnut and Lincoln Elementary schools. In 1967, she graduated from the old Central High School in downtown Evansville.
Mary Ann continued her education in Belleville, Illinois, returning to Evansville and obtaining her degree and graduating from Indiana State University of Evansville, now known as USI. Mary Ann and her mother had a bond that was unexplainable, so she stayed in Evansville to be close to her where she resided until her death. Mary Ann worked as an insurance adjuster for over 33 years; working for companies such as Allstate and Indiana Insurance and retiring early from Cincinnati Insurance to care for her elderly mother. Mary Ann was a loyal member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Zeta Zeta Omega Chapter for 40 years. She loved her sorority sisters. Mary Ann loved her church and her church family very much and she was a faithful member of “The Voices of Hope”.
After meeting and dating for several years, on May 26, 1984, she married the love of her life, John Hosea Price. They loved and lived life. They traveled all over and attended most local events. They both shared the love of jazz, rarely missing the jazz festivals. They had so much together and enjoyed it until John’s death on August 9, 2009.
Mary Ann was a special person who loved everyone she met. She was loving, caring, understanding, and so much more. She loved her family and showed it in every way. Her spirit was unique. You felt comfort in her presence because she was filled with love and compassion, honesty and humbleness. Words can’t describe the love she had for her family and her family loved her just the same. To her family, she wasn’t just Mary Ann – she was that sister, that auntie, that cousin, and that friend, like a mother to so many and her presence will be more than missed but will live on forever through us all.
Celebrating her life and cherishing so many loving memories are: 3 brothers, James (Anna) Owsley her baby brother who was more like a son she’d say, Rev. DuWayne (Connie Robinson) Blair both of Evansville, IN, and Johnnie Blair, Chicago, IL; one sister, Beatrice (John) Goins. Clinton, MD; sister-in-law, Vicki Turner, Evansville, IN; brother-in-law, Kimmie, (Loretta) Price, Lavergne, TN; sister-in-law, Carrie Washington, Los Angeles, CA; stepson, James (Tonja) Price, Detroit, MI; stepdaughter, LeShauna (Marvin) Brown, Anderson, IN; 3 step-grandchildren, Jalen and Jada Price of Detroit, MI and Kailynn Brown, Anderson, IN; 2 godsons, Jeremy O’Connell, Chicago, IL and Keenyn Wallace II, Evansville, IN; 11 nieces and nephews, 29 great-nieces and nephews, 19 great-great nieces and nephews with whom she shared her own personal relationships with.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff and Oncology Department at the Chancellor Center. Also, a very special thank-you to those who helped in caring for Mary Ann – fellow church member and friend, Tillie Christian and best buddy and Sorority Sisters, Patricia McFarland-Wisdom, Deborah Raspberry and Cora Reddhall. Also, sister-in-laws; Vicki Turner, and Lashea Taylor – thank you all for being there when you were needed most. To Marco and Cheree, whom she called her son and daughter, her brother, DuWayne and sister-in-law, Connie – you did your best, let God do the rest.
For his anger is but for a moment and his favor is for a lifetime, weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalms 30:5