ELKHART -- On Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, at Elkhart General Hospital, Lila Mae Price of Elkhart peacefully left her earthly confines and took her place in her heavenly home. She was 79.

She was one of 12 children born to Grady and Mary (Horton) Jones in Union Grove, Ala., on Feb. 2, 1931. On April 26, 1952, she married Forrest Merle Price in Springfield, Tenn. He preceded her in death, although they were married for over 40 years.

She is survived by a son, Forrest M. Price II of Homa, La.; and two daughters, Patricia (Thomas) Secor of Elkhart and Kathleen Picon of Fayetteville, N.C. Also left to cherish her memory are grandchildren Jeffery (Danielle) Secor, Dawn (Michael) Cook, Jeremiah (Marty) Calhoun Price-Picon, Jennifer (Eric) Volpe and Andy (Mandie) Newsom-Estes; as well as great-grandchildren Erica, Nicholas, Jeffery Jr. and Annamarie Secor, Jeffrey and Rachael Cook and Parker Estes. Three sisters, Geneva Lopez, Mary Neal Jones and Martha Saxton, survive as well.

Lila's earthly remains were returned to Gunthersville, Ala., where she was laid to rest next to her husband in the family's plot at Marshall Memorial Gardens on Oct. 28, 2010.

To accommodate local friends, Lila's family has planned a memorial celebration of her life at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, with visitation starting at noon. Pastor James Pettit of First Baptist Church of Elkhart will officiate.

A devoted wife and mother, Lila spent most of her life accompanying Forrest and the family around the world, wherever his job in the military would take him. She lived the last 12 years in Elkhart with her daughter and son-in-law. She will be best remembered for her love, courage and strength of heart. She had an incredible sense of humor that her children have only begun to appreciate as they, too, grow older.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lila's memory may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 50 E. 91st St., Ste. 100, Indianapolis, IN 46209.

Billings Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.