Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. George Eugene Price, Sr. was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at his son’s home in Washington, DC following a short illness.

George was born April 2, 1939, in Sabine, WV to the Late Thornton E. Price, Sr. and Elizabeth Ann Price.

George grew up in Sabine, Wyoming County, WV in a small coal mining community. He was the sixth of fourteen children and was a free-spirited toddler who earned the nickname “Man” because he acted beyond his age. He was a favorite in his family, as well as in his close-knit community throughout the circle of homes. Over the years he fine-tuned his athletic skills playing football, basketball and baseball (which was one of his favorite pastimes).

George attended Sabine Elementary, Scott Jr. High, and Conley High School. He graduated from Conley HS in 1957 where he excelled in football and became a favorite of the coach which led him to becoming the coach’s personal score keeper during basketball season. He was offered a partial scholarship to Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, where he attended for one year before joining the US Air Force. He served one tour of duty in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller and during his last year of service as a Warning Officer for the 705th squadron (National Air Defense) in AK. He received an Honorable discharge in 1965. After the US Air Force, he looked for work in WV, Roanoke, VA and Detroit, MI, before coming to Washington DC in 1967, where he was employed by the Washington Post for 43yrs, starting in the Mailroom and retiring in 2010 as the Head of Circulation.

George, in 1971, married Susie M. Coleman and from that union they had one child, George E. Price II, and raised Octavia K. Coleman as his own daughter in S.E. Washington, DC. The pair later divorced but had a close, personal relationship throughout his life, often talking about God and the children. George was not ashamed of sharing his Savior with others and loved to learn and read the word, he yearned for knowledge. He was an avid reader and would often read from different versions of the Bible as well as anything regarding sports and politics. George was a sports encyclopedia, he could tell you where a player grew up, went to high school, college and their stats in football, basketball and baseball. It wasn’t until after his illness you could challenge and seldom correct what he told you.

George was loved and devoted to his family, especially his kids and grandchildren, Gavin and Greer Price of Washington, DC.

George was very special and a big giver in so many ways. He loved to give to his favorite charities and local churches and family members. He would also give to strangers and friends alike, it didn’t matter, if you needed it and he had it, you had it. Neighbors down on their luck would often look to him for assistance and would perform transport, delivery, cleaning and yard services as means to pay him back. His neighbors often looked after his home while he was away, and when he became sick and lived with his son, would often call before or after removing trespassers from his property. You couldn’t find anyone to say anything negative about George, he will always be loved and missed by those who knew or came across him.

Funeral service will be 11:00AM Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Heart of God Ministries
1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley with Bishop Fred T. Simms officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends may view and visit with the family one-hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.