Joy G Price

Blithe and beautiful throughout her life, Joy Gilland Price died peacefully on Monday, May 23rd at her home surrounded by her family. Her long life was full of love and adventure. Living up to her name, she brought joy to many--both those close to her and those she knew only briefly. In personality, she was an exuberant blend of Auntie Mame and Lucille Ball—but was compared to Vivien Leigh for her delicate, classic beauty. Known for her quick wit and colorful stories, Joy filled the room with her “uniquely Joy,” fun-loving spirit. She was a great beauty with a twinkle in her eye.

Born in Fredericksburg in 1921 to Elsie and Miller Weisjohn, Joy grew up speaking both German and English. Her family later moved to San Antonio where she attended Jefferson High School. For college she attended Mary Baldwin in Virginia, where she was elected sweetheart of Washington and Lee. After college, she married Edward Raymond Woolery, and they moved to the Philippines just before WWII, where she had her first son, Edward. Her husband, a fighter pilot, died in combat in the Philippines.

In 1943, she married Charles Stanley Price, a bomber pilot in WWII, and they had three children: Martha, Stanley, Jr, and Gilland. She and Stanley had a long, happy marriage of 56 years. The Prices settled in San Antonio, where their life together included innumerable adopted pets, many nights of dancing with friends, singing at the piano, acting at the little theater, playing bridge, and being loving parents and grandparents. Joy was an active member in the community and many social clubs.

In 1959, in one of her many inspired, spontaneous decisions, Joy moved the whole family to London, where they lived for 3 years, enjoying a life of travel—skiing in the Alps and drinking tea with her Aunt Elsa in the Lake District.

A loving and sometimes mischievous grandmother, she invented the word “FUN” for her grandchildren who love to tell stories about their many adventures with her. She so embraced her role as grandmother, that all of her grandchildren’s friends called her grandmother as well.

She leaves a legacy of cheerfulness, wisdom and undaunted spirit for her family. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Charles Stanley Price. She is survived by her devoted children: Edward Woolery-Price and wife Patti; Martha Price Maxwell and husband Carlisle; Charles Stanley Price, Jr.; Grover Gilland Price and wife Betty; grandchildren: Edward Woolery-Price , Jr and wife Scotti; Steven Woolery-Price and wife Monique; Martha Maxwell Britton and husband John; Clayton Maxwell Sloan and husband Scott; Carlisle Elizabeth Maxwell; and Andrew Beyer Price; great grandchildren: Alex, Calvin and Phillip Woolery-Price; Evan and Logan Woolery-Price; Jack, Charles, and Rob Britton; Carlisle and Harry Sloan, and great-great granddaughter Makayla Woolery-Price. We rejoice that she can once again dance in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: San Antonio Humane Society, 4804 Fredericksburg Rd, SA, TX 78229 or Vista Care Hospice, 4242 Woodcock Drive, Suite 101, SA, TX 78228.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.