Jessie Washington Price Jr.

Jessie Washington Price, Jr., age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Son of the late Jessie and Ruby (Privett) Price, Jessie was born on January 26, 1940 in Live Oak, Florida. He was a proud Marine and served in the Marine Reserves for 6 years before getting married and starting a family.

Jessie worked with the State of North Carolina managing Food Services for both Dorothea Dix and later, Polk Youth Center for 30 years and then retired. He also ran a NCSU concession booth, drove for Lonesource and for Weaver Auto after retirement. With each new job there were more friends made. He was a hard worker with an incredible work ethic. Even after retiring, he remained hands-on with any and all tasks that passed his way; you could not keep him still and he was never happy sitting around and remained active and involved in all the things he loved.

Jessie was an avid NCSU fan and could talk for hours about NCSU sports. In addition, he enjoyed NASCAR, cooking his signature whole hog bbq and beloved bbq chicken, canning and preserving fruits, tending to his gardens full of banana trees and rose bushes, relaxing with his dachshund (Molly) in his lap, spending time with friends and loved ones, and so much more. Jessie never met a stranger and was able to connect with anyone he came in contract with. While he was, at times, soft spoken or a man of few words, he was always thoughtful and caring and was able to befriend anyone he crossed paths with.

Jessie was an active member of Ephesus Baptist Church and was in charge of Wednesday Night Suppers as well serving in many other ways. Whether he was cooking BBQ, country style steak, chicken dumplings or spaghetti, there was rarely food leftover - everything he made was delicious and he took pride in serving delicious meals to others. Jessie showed his love for others through his cooking.

Anyone who knew Jessie “JW” knows he left a great impression, was kind, and was a friend for life. We will miss him greatly.

Jessie’s loving family include his wife, Mary Katherine “Kay” Henderson Price, of Cary; children, Deanna Price King (Bradley) and Angela Lynn Crandall; grandchildren, Chandler King Venditti (Nick) and Ethan Crandall; great-granddaughter, Fallon Birdie Venditti; siblings, Robert A. Perry (Beverly) and Barbara Price Saulnier. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Additionally, he left behind his sweet furry daughter, Molly. In addition to his parents, Jessie is preceded in death by his brother, Earl Perry and sister Betty Parrish.

Memorial Donations can be made to Transitions LifeCare https://www.transitionslifecare.org/donate/ or Folds of Honor at https://secure.foldsofhonor.org. Services will be held on Wednesday June 18th at Ephesus Baptist Church. Visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. and burial to follow in the church cemetery. Thank you for joining us in celebrating his life and his homegoing.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Price family.