Carmen F. Price, born in 1933 in East Los Angeles, passed away on April 6, 2021 of natural causes at the age of 87. As a child she was known by family and all in the neighborhood as “Mami”, so much so that she thought that was her given name! Carmen always emphasized that although she grew up in economically disadvantaged circumstances, she had numerous happy memories of growing up in “East Los”. She was a rough and tumble girl who loved hanging out with her brothers Eddie and Chicho (Richard), and especially scavenging for “treasures” and discarded toys at the dump. As a teen she loved attending dances with her brother Eddie and sister Tillie at St. Mary’s and other local parishes, becoming known as the “Mambo Queen.”
Carmen left school in the 9th grade and took work in various factories in order to help her family financially. At age 24 she met and married Thomas C. Price Jr., with whom she had her four children: Thomas C. Price III, Joseph R. Price, Armida C. Price-Hernandez, and Marie Elaine Price-Lockridge. Encouraged by her husband, Carmen did return to school and eventually received her High School Diploma as well as an Associate’s Degree from Rio Hondo Jr. College. In addition, she achieved certification as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). Although she did not take paid employment outside the home, she did over the years volunteer for various organizations including 3’s Company Thrift Store, Norwalk Metropolitan Hospital, a neurological treatment center in Downey, an adult literacy program, and as a tutor at Rio Vista Elementary School. In later years, she provided childcare for some of her grandchildren and at varying times other area children.
Throughout her 53 years long marriage, she enjoyed numerous travels throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. A devout Roman Catholic, Carmen had a special devotion to St. Jude and St. Joseph. She was also an avid reader who even kept a small bookshelf stocked in the bathroom! Besides her family, her next greatest loves were her cats, her spoon and doll collection, garage sales and playing the slots in casinos in Laughlin and New Mexico. Carmen was blessed with a beautiful smile and lively sense of humor that will be sorely missed by her loving family, friends, and all who knew her.
Carmen was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Cuca and Tillie, her brothers Richard and Eddie, and her husband Thomas C. Price Jr. She is survived by her brother Bobbie Flores; her children Thomas, Joseph, Armida and Marie Elaine; grandchildren Noelle, Catherine, Virginia, Noah, and Sierra; great-grandchildren Atticus Michael and Naomi Marie; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Resurrection Cemetery in Montebello, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to the American Cancer Society or Paralyzed Veterans of America.
A visitation for Carmen will be held Friday, April 9, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hillcrest Funeral Home - West, 5054 Doniphan Drive, El Paso, TX 79932. Following the visitation will be a rosary at 6:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestfhwest.com for the Price family.
