Lois Ellenberg Price

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Born on September 12, 1926, in an 18th-century farmhouse in Ninety-Six, SC, to the late William Thomas and Annie Smith Ellenberg, Lois was the eighth of nine children.

A natural story-teller, Lois often shared remembrances of her childhood, such as hitching up the mule and wagon and riding to town on Saturdays with her father to sell their produce. She earned a reputation among her siblings as a bit of a prankster and daredevil, and could serve up a sassy remark, but always in a good-natured way.

The family worked, ate, laughed, and prayed together daily. Lois often said, “We were poor, but with the abundance of love in our family, we were rich.”

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After high school, Lois graduated from Emmanuel College and, intending to teach, spent a year at East Carolina (Teachers College) before marrying the love of her life, Rangeley Dalton Price, in 1947. Range had returned to his home in Eden, NC the year before, following his service in the Navy.

While living in Wake Forest, Range and Lois raised two daughters – Phebe Kay Roberson (Robert) of Raleigh; and Carolyn Anne Joseph (Jean-Paul) of France.

Giving her full attention to her daughters, Lois supervised piano lessons and homework, served as Girl Scout leader to their troops and as PTA president, and prepared twenty home-cooked meals every week. The neighborhood children loved nothing more than hanging out at the Price home, where they were showered with affection and snacks.

Range’s career eventually took the family to Virginia and South Carolina before they finally settled in Raleigh in 1968. In every situation, Lois supported her husband with the same practical, cheerful, make-do attitude she had developed as a farm girl. When Range needed someone to haul a load of gravel chips to his workplace, it was Lois who showed up behind the wheel of the truck.

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The highlight of Lois’ life was the birth of each of her five grandchildren – David Nathan DeBoe (Jack) and Rangeley Kay Beard (Daniel), both of Raleigh; and Mehregan, Jerel, and Elliot Joseph, all of Switzerland. Visits to see “Papa and Gramma” meant hunting for hidden candies in the kitchen and exotic coins in a big jar of pennies, standing on a stool to help Gramma cook, and sometimes dining on earthenware by the light of an oil lamp as people used to “in the old days.”

When Phebe married Bob in 1987, Range and Lois acquired three more granddaughters: Cathy Arthur (Kevin), Cindy Jarrell, and Christy Oliver (Keith). Bob’s business required trips to Italy and, on many occasions, Range and Lois joined them and extended the trip to visit their family in Switzerland.They were blessed with eleven beautiful great-grandchildren: Justin and Ava Arthur; Victoria and Alexandra Oliver; Thomas, Robert, and David Jarrell; Elizabeth and Abby Beard; Vivian Garcia; and James DeBoe. A great-great-granddaughter, Leah Jarrell, arrived in 2024.

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Lois was a deeply committed Christian who served the Lord throughout her life. She was a member of the Capital Church in Garner for over 50 years, working behind the scenes with nursery and kitchen duties. She met each day with gratitude and a heart full of joy.

Full of wisdom, Lois tenderly encouraged those who were hurting or overlooked. Though a natural talker, she was also an intuitive and compassionate listener. She made time for people. She didn’t talk much about her ministry, following Jesus’ teaching to do your good deeds in private, but many people have spoken to her family about the way she touched their lives.

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Lois was married for 67 years to her loving husband, Rangeley, (her “Babe”), until his death in 2014.

She was also predeceased by her siblings: twins Vinson and Vernon Ellenberg, Lucile Simmons, Mary Mayo, Anne Oliver, William (Bill) Ellenberg, Grace Ellenberg, and Joclair Taylor; and her foster brothers Oliver, Holley, and Faber Hance.

She leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

The family is very grateful to all of Lois’ friends and caregivers at Springmoor. She was known frequently to announce, to anyone listening, how well the Springmoor staff took care of her and how much she loved them.

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A memorial service was delayed until April 21 to accommodate family arriving from Europe. All were welcome to attend the memorial service, which was held at the Capital Church (1308 Hwy 70 West, Garner, NC) on Monday, April 21 at 1:30 pm, with a visitation that followed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the organizations that meant the most to Lois.

To donate to the Springmoor Endowment Fund, contact Sarah Coleman at 919-848-7388.

To donate to the Lois Ellenberg Price Memorial Scholarship at Emmanuel University, contact Brian James at 706-245-2854, or mail your donation to PO Box 129, Franklin Springs, GA, 30639, to the attention of Brian James.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Price family.